Siliceous

Saving Terkent: Kings, Gods, and Meteor Riders

The last part of our story with these heroes…

Rowena plans to teleport to one of the incoming meteors to try to divert it/them from hitting Siliceous
Kissandi plans to save herself and/or the Raven Queen, then possibly to take on Orcus’ following
Bui – arrived at Journey’s End, now must find and unit the gods’ factions
Tyzzer – pushing back onrushing enemy forces, keeping people of Terkent strong

Rowena enlists the help of Elrilmareum, Shacrois Nuadil, and the monks with whom Ara trained to help prepare her for what is to come. All, except Elrilmareum, join in the mission. After arriving on the meteor, they learn that 3 large ships are pulling the meteors towards the planet. Rowena works to destroy the magical tethers. Then she and the others battle for control of the ships, flying them into other ships pulling a second meteor. They are successful at diverting a meteor, flame through the atmosphere. Rowena survives and joins the fight vs. Adalaentar…

Kissandi, now dead, approaches the Raven Queen, seeking judgment. The Raven Queen is in a predicament, held at bay by Orcus, necromancers, and an undead army. Kissandi and the Raven Queen work together, with the Raven Queen ultimately sacrificing herself to rid the Shadowfell of Orcus, elevating Kissandi to power. Kissandi returns to Lambasa, alive, to help vs. Adalaentar…

Bui utilizes other Sojourners to help find the correct portal at Journey’s End leading to Bahamut. He and the others slip past the aberrant forces at Journey’s End. Bui, with help, is able to convince Bahamut. Bahamut calls Moradin, Pelor, and Avandra. The four gods agree to meet with the old gods. A huge success. Bui departs to help in Lambasa vs. Adalaentar…

Tyzzer, with the help of Ja’Elle, Craynor, PR III, Van de Vries, and even a goliath from Tyr try to deal with many challenges in and around Lambasa. Craynor leads a bear attack on the aberrant forces trying to breech the gates. PR III helps hold the wall. Ja’Elle works to uncover more about and expose the cults. Tyzzer speaks to the people to keep their spirits up. When the undead rise, Van de Vries helps to fight them back. The heroes are successful in saving Lambasa. Tyzzer uses the sending stones to call the others back when Ja’Elle senses the return of Adalaentar.

An epic battle vs. Adalaentar ensues. PR III departs during the battle, but is not convinced to join the dragon. The heroes are successful. The dragon flees without what he came for. The land is free of the dragon and it appears to be the dawn of a new day…

Adalaentar's Departing Gifts and Efforts to Save Siliceous

Adalaentar: Looking at the dead Taran, “The plague is here. It is too late for this world. I have spared him” Tyzzer rushes to rally Taran, unsuccessfully.

Rowena senses the dragon’s hoard, the kobolds, and the dragon itself is mostly an illusion, that only one kobold is here along with a handful of items.

Adalaentar continues: “For your service in bringing to me the 5, I have left you each a gift.”

Tyzzer refuses a circlet. Bui receives a symbol of revivification in the shape of a walking man. Rowena receives a firebird that circles her head. Allyria receives a totem. Ja’Elle receives a cloak of the shadow. Galean receives boots with wings.

Adalaentar says: “Kissadi, because of your help in bringing the hourglass to me, you will receive two gifts.”

Kissadi receives a black feather of the Raven Queen and a falchion of oaths fulfilled.

Rowena convinces the others that this is really an illusion. Tyzzer still refuses the circlet. Bui leads an attack on the kobold. Tyzzer finishes it off. It morphs into a red dragon wyrmling that bears a striking resemblance to Adalaentar. The group ponders whether this is a younger version who travelled back in time or an offspring.

Tyzzer questions Kissadi about the hourglass. The heroes seem to reconcile that Kissadi did not knowingly betray Tyzzer, that perhaps this was a play by Adalaentar instead.

The pursuit of Adalaentar is dropped in order to help Terkent and Siliceous.

Tyzzer looks to fix the current governing power in Terkent and takes Ja’Elle along with him to help. Tyzzer realizes that this may mean his ascension to the crown and then figuring out how to govern in a time of crises.

Bui looks to uncover where the gods went, particularly Fharlaghn and the Raven Queen, but others, too. If he can find them, he hopes to convince them to seek the Old Gods. He wants to use Journey’s End in his search.

Rowena wants to investigate the distant, but approaching dots in the sky. She plans to seek Elrilmareoum’s assistance.

Kissadi plans to go to the Shadowfell to commune with or find the Raven Queen or to do battle with Orcus and his forces, hoping to regain control over death in the world.

Over the months that follow…

Tyzzer’s path:
Convinces PR III to join. Flies over Lambassa and sees chaos and confusion, looting, destruction, etc. Lands in the castle courtyard. Meets with Van de Vries. Ja’Elle helps find out information from the streets and underground to help Tyzzer. Tyzzer demands and receives an audience with King Goodwell II. A confrontation. Tyzzer demands Goodwell to bring the people together, punching out Goodwell’s advisor. The guards present are ready to battle – more on Tyzzer’s side, but this mess is mostly avoided.

Tyzzer departs for a time to help Rowena meet with Shacrois Nuadil (see Rowena’s story below).

When Tyzzer returns, Van de Vries reports back on PR III’s actions. Guards groups within Lambasa are riled up. Some have been run out of town. Some battles between guards are happening. Tyzzer settles things down. He uses diplomacy to convince Goodwell to leave. Small battles break out, but Tyzzer is able to convince others to calm people and groups down, mainly by meeting with individuals, small groups, and leaders of factions. In this effort, he is able to determine some potential future issues and city leaders who have less interest in law and order. PR III handles the rabble. Tyzzer Zaneeen is named King of Terkent.

Tyzzer mobilizes forces to fight aberrations, undead, crow, etc. He does relatively okay in convincing people to stay together, despite the world seemingly in chaos. He does relatively okay in mobilizing people to fight. There are some issues, but many hold together.

Rowena’s path:
Rowena makes many attempts to travel through dimensions to reach the starts. Her skin white in parts, ashen in parts from these difficult dimensional shifts, she realizes she must seek aid to achieve her goal. She seeks out Elrilmareoum. Rowena’s experiences and Elrilmareoum’s gathering of information from other adventurers and theoretical studies together have helped Rowena improve her understanding. Elrilmareoum helps Rowena figure that she needs more help. Rowena finds Tyzzer and together they travel to meet with Shacrois Nuadil, the gold dragon in the Feywild.

Shacrois is happy to help a friend of Tyzzer, Craynor, and Alphariel. In fact small parts of each of their essences seem to be in the dragon, as the dragon is a part of them, too. Rowena asks Shacrois to help figure out Adalaentar’s motives. Together they think perhaps Adalaentar left because he thought this world would not survive. How could a red dragon part with such valuable parts of his treasure? They thought perhaps he gifted the heroes so that they would seek him back out and he could take not only the gifts he gave back, but the items they also had attained through their adventures after killing them.

Shacrois can help Rowena get to the approaching meteors, but does not know how to help her survive once she is there. He also provides Rowena sending stones to use in communication with Tyzzer, Bui, and Kissadi.

The question of whether Rowena is purpose or power driven bubbles to the surface as she considers the fact that she may replace Corellon for this world. For now, anyways, she is purpose driven, trying to save the world from the oncoming meteors, in an effort to see another Spring.

In seeking how to survive on the meteors after consulting more with Elrilmareoum and deciding that perhaps meditation and guidance from monks with help, she tracks down fellow elf, Ara. The group Ara leads is called the Crystal Hand. The training the lead Rowena on is intense. She is learning not to breathe for seconds, then minutes, then hours. Her endurance is tested.

Along the way, Rowena uses quite a bit of her treasure to aid her in attaining information and alliances.

Kissadi’s path:
It starts off with a big battle in the Shadowfell. Kissadi is able to speak across plains to Shyleth, the Goliath bard in Tyr, who now plays bagpipes. Shyleth says there have been problems with natural death in Tyr. A celestial object eclipses the sun for about a year. Shyleth is able to join Kissadi in the Shadowfell. Kissadi is able to find the reflection of Tyr in the Shadowfell, where the meteor is hurtling towards Tyr.

The Shadowfell is a mess. Sorrowsworn are trying to destroy the masses, many of whom are not traveling towards their natural final end, but instead massing up, many returning to life as undead. The shader kai monks need a guide and seek out Kissadi.

Kissadi sees hope fading, does not know what she can do. Could the end of her life bring about the knowledge she needs? The sorrowsworn beat Kissadi back into a mountain of shadar kai who beat Kissadi within an inch of her life. Kissadi communes with Nicodemus, who tells her to fulfill the circle of life. A flail crushes Kisssai, who falls into a river, pulled by the current and over a waterfall. Confusion abounds. A white winged being rises up.

Bui’s path:
John “Bui” Collins seeks the new Gods, starting a Journey’s End. Next, Bui calls the Sojourners back together by activating his compass. Many Sojourners arrive. After investigation, the Sojourners suggested they have been abandoned by the good aligned gods and possibly by some, if not all of the neutral aligned gods. They are not fully sure. Bui suggests continuing their investigation, seeking subtle signs, before approaching evil aligned gods.

The investigation continues as they look for subtle signs, ways the evil gods are unable to fulfill their wishes. They look for celestial signs, incomplete destruction. Using their faith, perception, and all their resources, the results remain murky, unclear.

Faith has gotten him this far. Bui believe the gods witll find a way. He keeps looking for signs to pick up on and insight on where to go. For a moment, he has a brief aha moment and realizes that being immortal means no fear of death and dying, but before he can use this to track where a god may retreat to, Bui loses the feeling.

For next time – the last part of the story we will tell…

Rowena – on one of the meteors
Tyzzer – holding out as leader, looking for a clear enemy (forces of Orcus? Aberrant forces?) with the help of Craynor and Ja’Elle
Bui – Now is so close to finding out where the gods are, completing this search, then convincing them to speak with/listen to the Elder gods
Kissadi – alive or dead? Orcus running rampant?

Breaking the Dragon Bond (The Old Gods and the New Gods)

Dec 15, 994

Notable moments:

Flying the tower to the site of the temple, Kissandi seeing distant dots in the sky.

Figuring out how to enter the temple (the elements, the riddle, wounding oneself with cold) – deciphering the runes of the fire, water, air, and earth element statues – then reading the riddle to embrace the cold burn, suffer and be rewarded…

The veil dropped/raised as you appeared in a more ancient temple, walked into the sphinx, then found yourself in a small room with an altar and two listening statues that said:

At the “listening statues” it was written “Only a pure of heart and mind may pass. Confess what darkens your heart, what haunts your dreams, and what regret falters your step.”

Fears/Darkened Hearts/Etc:
Tyzzer – not able – innocence will fall, regret – unable to save companions
Rowena – have not ascended to what Corellon wants me to be be…not getting there – killing Adalaentar, doesn’t care about the world
Kissandi – natural order of death changed by Orcus and his minions
Bui – struggling to help travelers – failing as a guide.

Back to the adventure…

Wall opening up and a staircase that you descended… eventually descended several levels before finding an Taran the Rogue held in a cage with a vision of Adalaentar before him, with
Galean the Genasi laying prone beside him. What did your character see and do?

Bui - guiding the others to Odakata/Friend – Friend speaking of the Old Gods and the New Gods and imploring the characters to get the New Gods to seek the advice of the Old Gods in an effort to save the world.

After Taran, Galean, and Allyria were convinced and the characters sought Adalaentar

Kobolds arrived and spoke, then convinced the characters had all that Adalaentar wanted. The characters were engulfed in flames and appeared in Adalaentar’s lair.

5 linked characters laying before Adalaentar – bleeding from the back of the head – the efforts to save them – the kobolds packing the gold…

Saving efforts by Bui & Tyzzer, while Rowena determined Adalaentar was not weakened.

Adalaentar's Illusion and Dealing with the Dragon

Bui, Tyzzer, and Rowena find themselves in the lair of Adalaentar, the ancient red dragon. Ja’Elle is dying and infected, and lies amidst the treasure hoard of Adalaentar. Kissandi is missing.

The dragon convinces the three to try to summon the 3 others he controls back to him (Allyria the elf, Taran the Rogue and Galean the Genasi). He says this will allow him to sever the tie and that he will save Kissandi and Ja’Elle. Tyzzer tries unsuccessfully to heal Ja’Elle. Kissandi serves a valuable role to the group and they decide to seek the other three to see if they are willing to take this risk.

The veiled illusion falls. Kissandi replaces Adalaentar and collapses from head pain.

Tyzzer wants to turn the connection against the dragon. Kissandi thinks that once we have all five, maybe we can. Bui and Rowena are not too sure, as the dragon may be able to summon them once they have all five.

The group flies to SE Terkent and finds a small group digging into the winter ground with their hands. All but one flee the descending chariot. The heroes meet Allyria. She speaks of a large, blue man who visited looking for them yesterday. They are confused how anyone would know they were traveling here. Later they agree to seek and bring this genie back to prove them trustworthy to Allyria and her people. First the group helps arrange the stones in the ground with Allyria. They sense an arcanic power in the stones and a natural protection by them, too, when arranged correct. Allyria explains that those affected and aberrant continue to mess with the stones and the natural protection.

In our montage, we learn that the aberrants are causing the crops to fail. A last resort was to ask the gods of nature for their help. They have less trust in each other and humanity now with some affected. Burial rituals changed to deeply affect morale (zombie like creatures amongst them). There is a flash back to Allyria in her childhood. She appears Goth, a follower of the Raven Queen, on a similar path as Kissandi. She travelled to Tyr and thought she was a dragon in Tyr.

Kissandi has a vision of the Raven Queen captured by Orcus.

Rowena uses a ritual, getting a map of the area from a fellow druid like companion of Allyria. Tyzzer’s understanding of history of the coin given to Allyria by the genie connects the coin to history. The group is able to complete the ritual and locate the large blue man. His name is Zilwazaraat and he says he is a deal broker. He tells the group that Krombalt, the storm giant king, is dead, and now his daughter, Elektra, rules in his place. He says that Elektra sent him to bring the heroes to meet with her. The heroes ask how he knew they’d be at this location and how he arrived a day before them? His explanation seems to show his concept of time and space is not like theirs.

The group travels to meet Elektra where they find Shivon Stormrider tied to the ground. Tyzzer questions Elektra. Elektra says Shivon led a group that destroyed her father. Shivon admits to as much, saying that Krombalt cared too much for this plane and not enough about the Feywild. It seems Elektra wishes her father still lived and led. Elektra leaves judgment to Kissandi. Kissandi says it makes no difference and Elektra can decide.

The group leaves. Allyria agrees to join them. They set off to the sacred temple to find Taran the Rogue.

Representatives of the Gods

May 7, 994

The group found a hatch-door in the floor and descended further into the mountain, eventually entering a temple of sorts. A ritual was taking place. Two humanoids were at a long table in front of a portal. Two rat men stood guard nearby. A larger creature with tendrils and many otherworldly eyes floated in a corner. In the center, many aberrant creatures encircled a writing humanoid who lay on runes.

The heroes quietly approached until an electrified trap zapped them and alerted the celebrants that they had company.

One of the humanoids quickly escaped through the portal. One of the rat-men was killed by the heroes. Rowena created a portal jump where the heroes entered the fray near the lead tables. A battle ensued. Rowena took some big wounds early on, but rallied with the help of Tyzzer and Bui. Tyzzer commanded the battle field as Kissandi felled many aberrant enemies. Bui’s radiant energy dematerialized many of the foes, too.

During the battle, the other humanoid turned into whatever it touched. The overlord (tendrils & many eyeballs) got into the heads of three of the four heroes, seemingly marring particular memories, even stealing them, before escaping into the portal.

The rest of the enemies were destroyed. After healing the humanoid who lay on the ground, the heroes tried to gain more information. It seems he was a willing participant in this ritual.

The heroes destroyed the portal and returned back to Shacrois Nuadil. After discussing what comes next, the heroes realized with the gold dragon’s and Friend’s helpful advice, that it was time to do more for their gods.

For the next several months, each hero attempted to help others in the world fend off major challenges and to help turn the tide. Many developments occurred along the way. (Conducted as groups skills challenges and storytelling, with an intention to give all a reason to work together, too).

Bui’s story – protecting the Oasis at Journey’s End. The Striders of Fharlanghan could travel through here and get healing. This is the center. Cagewrights had uncovered enemies. Many others wanted to invade to take this over as a port city, like Sigil. Three exulted Angels, Bui (a strider) and other Striders, and Guardians of the Road set up to defend. The first goal was to defend the city. Espionage to gain information about the location of the city. Gods of neutrality were recruited to help defend. This defense failed as others gained knowledge of its location. The second goal was to limit travel ability by creating sandstorms, causing heat exhaustion, mess ion with runes (planar magic). Other gods and their forces gained access to the city as this defense failed, too. The defenders of the city were successful, guided by Bui, in not allowing those who travelled through to gain access to the healing powers within the city. Now, the Oasis at Journey’s End has become open to travelers and invaders, but is not a place of rest and respite.

Rowena’s story – In Corellon’s study planning the repulsion of the Underdark Surge. The Selarinne. The elven gods have their champions and minions. Rowena and others lead the various factions (winged elves, unicorns, dolphins) against Lloth, the Goddess of the Night, and the dark elves. The first challenge is a battle with the illithid. The battle is won, but with complication. Some illithid have enthralled leaders and created puppet regimes. Pelow was seduced by Lolth, another complication, and the sun turned dark for a time. This allowed the third challenge to fail, as masses of the Underdark conducted deadly night raids, now controlling the forest areas above ground. Eventually Pelor figured out it was Lloth and banished her, but the crow did damage and more night raids are occurring.

Kissandi’s story – She assumes the mantle of ushering the dead to their final rest. Orcus is the problem. Raven Queen minions are a misfit, rebel army. The first challenge is harvesting corpses from the elven carnage and the night raids. Bui leads religious leaders (aka the Red Cross). He helps train clerics. This is a total success as they set up triage unit and help at battlefields. The second challenge is an effort to make healing spells unavailable (a curse). The Raven Queen’s army tries to infiltrate the necromancers. This is a success, but with complication as healing is affected. Resurrection still works, but minor healing spells are less effective. Surge Values are dampened. It takes longer to recover. The curse is somewhat in effect. The third challenge is the increasing number of undead. Kissandi leads and takes the fight to them. It is a success with complication. The undead masses are reduced, but Kissandi takes a terrible wound in the battles. The Skull of Sartine, there helping all along, heals Kissandi, but has lost faith in her and is no longer around when Kissandi regains consciousness. It has left, likely with another member of the misfit rebel army, or possibly with the enemy.

Tyzzer’s story – He returns to his hometown, Wellby and enlists his parents, paladins of Pelor) to help. They pray to Pelor. Months of training and organizing the paladins of Pelor. Earthly battles. Adds in Goodwell’s forces to help, but also to see whether they are more loyal to Goodwell or Tyzzer in this battle agains the forces of the Elder Elemental Eye.

Portals to the Far Realm are being created. Tyzzer leads forces to shut these down. The first challenge is the insidious tendrils taking control of small towns. The effort to win the hearts and minds of people and to fight those in cults is a failure. More cults are developing and people are not being swayed by the paladins of Pelor. The second challenge is that aberrants are spilling out into the world. This battle is a success as they are fought back in a heroic effort. The third challenge is location and shutting down portals and rifts. More are being created. The crusaders gain a compacted success here. The numbers of portals are not expanding, but there is less knowledge of where new portals are, but many of the old ones have been shut down.

Along the way Tyzzer learns the vast majority of Goodwells forces are more loyal to Tyzzer than to Goodwell, believing Tyzzer has the best interest of Terkent in mind. Tyzzer has reconnected with his parents and Pelor. Bui has become the right hand of the God of Travel. Kissandi has become the bane of undeath in Terkent and Rowena has gained access to more of Corellon’s power in the battle vs. Lloth and her minions. PR III is still willingly working with the heroes.

Major world developments (recap) - Oasis at Journey’s End now an accessible portal to all, making it much more complicated in defending and preparing, more night raids led by the Underdark, who now control many of the forests and some puppet regimes controlled by Illithid, the battle against the undead has been successful except at the cost of healing magic become less effective worldwide (as minor healing and healing surges are dampened), and despite many of the aberrant forces being fought back, more cults are developing in the world as new portals in unknown locations seem to replace the old ones that have been destroyed in the wars.

Ended with the loss of two wondrous items, the Skull of Sartine and the Deluvian Hourglass.

A Clearer Vision and Purpose

Scenes from around Siliceous:

Van de Vries montage – A series of guards telling stories of problems – a baby with tentacles, a creature bursting out of a person, etc. Guards asking Van de Vries to set up an investigative group. Van de Vries asks King Goodwell. Goodwell says no. Instead he tells Van de Vries to set out a quarantine area in Lambasa. Cut to a scene at the gate with a caravan of people entering. Van de Vries is there, escorting a companion who is struggling, a woman. He listens to her. Much of what she says is incomprehensible, but he is able to discern her talk of rips in the world, creatures stepping in and out of them. She says she saw one companion dragged into the forest, only to be back the next day. Then she saw a creature burst out of another companion, but he was fine later. Her stories got crazier and crazier. She became a joke to her companions who all thought she was out of her mind. She was sent here. Van de Vries relates the story to Goodwell. He dismisses it. As the camera pans away it goes back to Goodwell, alone on the throne. A black cloud goes over Goodwell’s eyes suggesting he is affected…

Quartz Tower of Wizardry – Jalen, current head of the wizard order, a center of research and very busy in this time of confusion. Jalen had heard of a long past head of the tower named Mortain. Jalen felt compelled to go to the top of the tower. It was there where he say the long dead wizard Mortain, who Jalen had once served as an apprentice long ago. Mortain used to wear silver robes, but now, in death, was dressed in black robes that sucked light into it. Mortain said “you have a new role to play and death is of little importance” as the life was taken from Jalen. “Now summon your apprentice and we can change him too…”

Sigil – Craynor stands at the edge of Reality with Derezim’s dog. Over time, portal entrants had come from various places. Some from Athas, some from the Underdark, etc. This time, a hoard of tentacles with 7 eyes, a vicious beast emerged and destroyed the dog first. Craynor fought heroically, even epically, but in the end was enveloped and consumed by this fell beast, too.

A rural farming area – Parents in denial of the stories of aberrant beasts and alien forces in the world. The kids were excited about the stories, but the parents said it was nothing. The woods nearby had started to go bad. Some local dogs returned from the woods deformed and mutated. Parents said it was nothing, but don’t leave the house anymore. A group of 12-14 year olds got together and bravely entered the woods. The found soul creatures and the kids were doing alright, becoming a young group of adventurers and helping in their area…

We return to Rhendlich, where it is now sometime on the day of April 30, 994. PR III departs from Zigana’s hut. Zigana asks Bui if she should do a group reading or do individual readings for each in the room? Bui answers individual readings. Zigana draws out some cards and begins to splay them out for Tyzzer, Rowena, Kissandi, and Bui. Tyzzer, Kissandi, and Bui see something in the cards drawn and their pattern. Tyzzer saw something about fiends taking over the world and it will be the ordinary people who rise up to take on this challenge. Rowena believes it is hocus pocus and does not help in the way true studies will.

After the readings, the characters have communication with their gods.

Fharlaghn shows up. A vision that all share. Bui asks should I lead others to safety or to the battle? Fharlaghn says that at some point all must fight. Bui asks what are the gods doing? Fharlaghn says that some are more involved than others and that he is trying to keep the peace. It seems that Bui must follow this same path. Fharlaghn says that chaos could lead to the world begin torn apart if the gods continue fighting. The birds that fly near Fharlagn transform into small versions of the gods (Orcus, Vecna, Corellon, etc.) and accentuate the story.

Rowena envisions herself in Corellon’s library, a regular vision when Rowena meditates. Sometimes Corellon is there, other times he is not. She studies in this way in her nightly trance. Corellon is there this time. Rowena is told that her time is almost done in this form. If Rowena can accomplish preventing the end of this world, she will continue on. There is very, very little chance of that if she fails. Then Corellon sprouted black tentacles and mutated aborantly.

Tyzzer has a vision of a spring night with the world, Siliceous, talking to him. People taken. The world is ripped. Possession. Devouring. People need a hero to rally around. Lead by example. Let your presence provide hope. If you ever despair, the world is lost. This weighs heavily on Tyzzer’s mind. Tyzzer sees those he knew before changing into aberrant creatures as the world came apart.

Kissandi hallucinated after eating tainted clams. She sees the Raven Queen, but this time in her most clear vision of her god. The Raven Queen tells Kissandi that Kissandi needs to take over. As Kissandi stops listening, the Raven Queen says there is more… I will be back, you are but a caretaker until I return. You will know who you can trust. I will send a raven. (It may not be an actual raven, but a symbol that Kissandi will see when in a time of great need that she can trust this helper). Then the Raven Queens face was covered in blackness, a tentacle sprouted where her head used to be. Her legs fell off. 6 arms emerged where her legs had formerly been. This abomination began to move. The inky blackness covered its tentacle face again and for a moment Kissandi saw the face of Ja’Elle replace the tentacle, then her own, before the blackness dissipated and the tentacle reemerged. Her head throbbed.

Near the end of the Kissandi’s vision, after long clutching her gut in pain and lying on floor in the fetal position, Kissandi writhed in pain and clutched her head. Bui, Tyzzer, and Zigana all tried their healing on Kissandi, but Kissandi blacked out for a time.

When she came to, Kissandi cracked open the sack she had carried for some time. It grew warm quickly and smoke billowed out of it filling the room. Choking. She closed the bag, remembering she was supposed to convert Rowena and give it to her. Rowena was not ready to convert. Kissandi opened the bag and took out a blackened, burnt skull. Although it was warm to the touch, Kissandi felt as though it made her warm up and she quickly noticed the warmth less. She also felt a kinship with it, as it spoke telepathically with her about spreading the worship of the Raven Queen, sending the living to their just reward: death, and mercilessly stamping out those who meddle in the affairs of death and are not affiliated with the Raven Queen, especially those pledged to the demon prince Orcus. The skull acts as an orb and bestows other powers to Kissandi.

After discussing their visions with one another and after PR III returned, the group decided it would be better to visit Shacrois Nuadil without PR III. Kissandi was going to be a new face to Shacrois. Bringing someone that they did not fully trust along may be a risk. PR III gave Zigana something, likely pay, and then told Tyzzer and the other that he looked forward to learning more about how he could help save the world with them after their visit with the dragons.

The heroes spent nearly two days with Zigana in total.

Zigana and Rowena helped the group teleport into the Feywild to the location of the dragons.

The group was in the tunnels and chambers within the volcano. The smell of sulfur filled the air. The dragons and their servants welcomed the group and they reacquainted. Shacrois did not appear surprised to see the group, in fact he asked the group to help them before the group could tell him that they needed his help. Shacrois said he was aware of an increasing entry of Outsiders. He wanted to close a teleportation circle that existed on the Isle of Dread near a lot of the recent aberrant activity on the Isle. The circle connects to another within the volcano mountain. Tyzzer and the others wanted to go further to close a gate to the Far Realm, but that hadn’t been found yet. The group agreed to help with the mission. But, first the group was introduced to a prisoner of the dragons, Sarax.

Held on a small raised shelf surrounded by magma, Sarax was imprisoned. The sivak draconians helped the heroes fly over to talk with him. Tyzzer wanted to see why Sarax came to the dragons. Sarax appeared to understand that Terkent needed saving, many including him had screwed up, and wanted to be part of the solution to help save Terkent from Goodwell and other problems. Sarax said various gods had told him how to act. He thought he could enlist all the powers he got to help, but in the end it appeared to tear apart his mind. Bui suggested foliowing Fharlaghn to lead him to a better mind and better future. Sarax seemed to listen, but was hesitant to commit to yet another god.

The group then met with an old friend, one Bui immediately recognized as the being they call Friend. Friend had brought Laeralin with him to the dragons. They shared bread and water with the heroes. Friend relayed that the gods are failing us. In their efforts to rule and do war upon one another they have left us open to destruction. Vecna will win. The outsiders will destroy us. The heroes questioned, why Vecna? It seems that Vecna’s desire to gain information has led him to fool others into allowing this new, aberrant life to enter the world. Perhaps Vecna believes this will destroy much of his competition, or that he will survive and be able to learn more secrets. Friend did not seem to know why, but believed that Vecna was helping lead the gods into this heightened battle with one another.

Friend said that Laeralin was no longer accepted in society because his reputation had been damned by the others in the WJN, but one day when his rep was repaired, he could help lead those who will do right again. For now, he believes you have two options. Option 1 – try to save the world, perhaps by stopping war and hate between individuals and groups here or by forming unlikely alliances between believers in different and followers of opposing gods. Option 2 was to forge a new world. You have paths to some of the other planes. Gather materials/components that you can use to create a new world.

Tyzzer believed option 2 was not an option, that this would be giving up. For now, the path would be to try to stop the war of the gods and to work to end this threat from the Far Realm on our world.

The group spent several days with the dragons and meeting the others.

The group then went with the 3 dragons through the portal. Whilst the dragons fought outside to close the gate, the 4 heroes entered an area that had become a kobold controlled site. Upon entering noises could be heard both nearby and a bit further away. As Tyzzer led the group around the first corner, several serpents appeared and then disappeared. Soon the serpents surrounded three in the group and attacked. The serpents snaked into the heroes minds, weakening their spirits. It was difficult to hit them, but once the heroes broke through, they dispatched the serpents. During the battle, the group noticed nearly surgically opened kobold craniums with no brain left inside.

After opening the next gate, many more serpents appeared and then disappeared. A brain collect or Neh-Thalggu, was currently devouring the brain of another kobold. Only one living kobold remained in the room. Unfortunately that kobold was later destroyed by one of the serpents. It took resources and time, but the heroes battled through the serpents, with area attacks by Rowena and Bui dispatching many. Tyzzer directed the hand of Kissandi to dispatch more, and then led the charge against the Neh-Thalggu. For short times, the brain collector dominated a party member, but with help from Bui and Tyzzer, this was quickly reversed. Not too long later, the heroes were victorious and had taken out the last of these aberrations.

Fortunes, Cults, or Prophecies?

Kissandi trailed the kenku, following him to two dive bars. At the second the kenku tried to sneak out during a bar fight, now involving him. Kissandi was able to track and follow him. This led her to a unlit back alley where she saw the Kenku talk with another humanoid. Kissandi was able to use the hat of disguise and pretend to be a drunkard in the alleyway to convince the kenku that nothing was amiss.

At dawn the next morning, Kissandi broke her meditation to follow the kenku, who was climbing stealthily from rooftop to rooftop to a secret meeting in the market with the butcher. Kissandi was again able to use the hat of disguise and a good bluff to make the butcher believe that she was the kenku and found a way to get him to give her the address of their contact.

Kissandi travelled to a much better part of Lambasa, where she saw the three story home with two guards. She staked it out and watched. When she saw the butcher approaching, she used a visage of the Raven Queen to scare him senseless. She was able to enter the building and found a snake-man (some type of yuan-ti, looking almost mummified) writing notes and paging through a book.

Kissandi, now with her allies along, used the hat of disguise a third time to be the butcher and try to pass the guards. It took some doing, but she scared the guards senseless as they fled, but not before warning who was inside.

Confronting Nsi, the yuan-ti, after Kissandi led an attack, the group decided to stop fighting and talk to Nsi. The heroes used their charm, wit, and sheer will to learn that Nsi seemed to be a lead informant about the coming Far Realm apocolypse. He wants to convert those who will listen to Zehir.

Tyzzer was nearly singed when he tried to look at Nsi’s log, but Rowena was able to spend a couple hours reading it and discerned that this group had made many markings at recent locations in Lambasa, and around the globe. Also, the teleporting Temple of Zehir that some in the group had visited earlier may be an escape from this world, if indeed the world is lost to the effects of the Far Realm.

Arriving very late to their meeting with PR III, the group saw the abandoned barn in the distance starting to go up in flame. Bui, recognizing very quickly that this likely meant PR III was in trouble with the Imix cultists, told the group and Tyzzer urged the heroes to hustle to his aid.

The heroes made fairly short work of the Imix cultists, learning in the battle that PR III was quite a fighter. Kissandi led the charge to minimizing Mulligan Finch. Rowena was unscathed by the flames of battle. Kissandi led the charge into the burning part of the building to attack a fire archon who appeared to be trying to escape. PR III finished the archon off. No Imix cultists escaped. This seemed very important to PR III, who did not want word of this internal battle to spread back to others in the cult.

Rowena was given PR III’s notes and she made a portal to a small hut in Rhendlich, the home of Zigana, the fortune teller. She said, “The world as we know is part of a thread that has been pulled taught. An unknown force is trying to fray this thread. Whether that force succeeds or not, there are ways to survive…none will come easy.”

She continued, “you come seeking my advice. I must know you better first. Humor me, show me who you are, and play this game.” She, with the help of seasoned Nanuk-teacher Kissandi, taught the others how to play. Zigana dominated the game with Bui coming in second. The group worked together at times as hunters or doomsayers, but at other times split up.

After the game, Zigana closed her eyes for longer than a blink, and then seemingly without opening her eyes, radiant blue light shone out from her eye sockets. Bui remembered seeing this before with the Architect. He has seen the world in this type of light since that experience.

Zigana started chanting incomprehensible words. Reflexively all joined in the chant. Eventually the words became comprehensible and the group chanted this over and over:

End of Winter

Over the still world, a bird calls
waking solitary among black boughs

You wanted to be born; I let you be born.
When has my grief ever gotten
in the way of your pleasure?

Plunging ahead
into the dark and light at the same time
eager for sensation

as though you were some new thing, wanting
to express yourselves

all brilliance, all vivacity

never thinking
this would cost you anything,
never imagining the sound of my voice
as anything but part of you-

you won’t hear it in the other world,
not clearly again,
not in birdcall or human cry,

not the clear sound, only
persistent echoing
in all sound that means good-bye, good-bye-

the one continuous line

that binds us to each other.

Everyone returned to their senses and began discussing what this means.

Zigana draws out some cards and begins to splay them out…

Next time, we will finish the meeting with Zigana, and then to go see the dragons (possibly without PR III). After this we plan to work to end this threat from the Far Realm on our world.

A Threat From Beyond This World

The night started as planned. It was late on April 27, 994 when all of our detective work began to pay off.

Kissandi felt the statue vibrating and heard it buzzing in the center of the graveyard. Rowena’s bird circled the sky looking for clues. Bui held tight on the dark side of the temple roof. Tyzzer heard a scraping noise behind him in the temple.

A dull necrotic light emitted from the statue and a group of 3 ghostly figures approaching leading a cultist of Orcus.

The battle between Kissandi, Bui, and Rowena and Orcus’ force ensued while Tyzzer intimidated the kenku scrawler in the temple.

Every lightning attack by Rowena seemed to trigger the statue to crackle with electric energy. The statue later began to animate and simultaneously emit blue mist that became more and more thick.

Bui’s immortal presence seemed to confound the enemy, not allowing them to damage Kissandi or Rowena.

Kissandi held the entire Orcus force away from the statue and away from her allies as she attacked.

Tyzzer saw the kenku had drawn the same triangular rune on the altar in the temple. The kenku kept saying things in various sounds and languages. Eventually Tyzzer got this out of him “it is the time, the time is here…there is no turning back” as Tyzzer understood the kenku to be trying to spread word of the end of times.

4 Angels of Sorrow and another Angel associated with the Raven Queen descended. The Angels of Sorrow tore apart the already injured Orcus cult leader. The last of insubstantial enemies fled at this point.

To Bui and Rowena, it appeared the angels only were there but a second. However, Kissandi felt their presence for longer as she spoke with them. The lead angel told Kissandi that She is missing, and that there is much more at stake here than Orcus, we need help. The lead angel said they would return to the Shadowfell to find Her, and that Kissandi needed to find out more about what is happening and to lead in dealing with this new and unexpected threat.

After Kissandi destroyed the Chillsparks from the Far Realm, led by Rowena, the heroes sealed the rift created in the statue that seemed to be an opening from the Far Realm.

The kenku was questioned. Kissandi said the best way to gain more knowledge of what is happening is to let the kenku free and to trail him. That is what she did while the others went to the abandoned barn on the outskirts of Lambasa to meet PRIII. On this night, Kissandi followed the kenku to the slums in town, but learned no more of the new threat.

In the meeting with PRIII, PR III said overwhelming evidence and witnesses had been found directly linking Goodwell to the murder of the Lambasan Crow and compelling evidence had been uncovered that Goodwell has a cozy alliance with Adalaentar. PR III (Flame Brother) said the bad news is that does not matter right now because the world we seek to change for the better is torn.

A discussion of this new threat from the Far Realm ensues. PR III says there is evidence of Far Realm beings entering the world in various locations in Terkent, Rhendlich, and Mar-Dir. He says this could undo the world as we know it.

In the discussion, the heroes and PR III question why the war between the gods has ramped up of late and what must be done. PR III is questioned about why he is aligned with evil forces. He says all will have a role. One god does not rule supreme nor hold sway over what is best for the world. He both praises and questions Imix.

PR III is still interested and expecting to share the Deluvian Hourglass with Tyzzer. Tyzzer is not ready to honor this commitment yet.

PR III says he and the heroes need to gain more knowledge of how to deal with this new threat. He says he has someone, a Seer name Zigana, that he wants to get counsel with and invites the heroes to go with him. He also sees the wisdom in the heroes (and possibly him) meeting with the dragons for more wisdom. He believes all sources that can help should be consulted. The heroes agree.

Next time, we plan to regather the party, and meet with PR III on the night of April 28, 994 to travel to meet Zigana, and then to go see the dragons (likely without PR III). After this we plan to work to end this threat from the Far Realm on our world.

Concern for the Capital

There is confusion and some chaos amongst those who defended Castle Locathah.

Somehow we have returned to this scene. Could the hourglass have brought us back here?

There is confusion. Tyzzer and Bui talk to the Silver Hand that remain. Sarax is gone. Tyzzer asks who will lead? Lyrie Akenja does not know yet. Tyzzer and Bui convince more to unite in the aftermath of Sarax’s dip into insanity (killing of Nan and condemnation of Tyzzer over using Mani the boxer as a messenger to the secret organization).

Kissandi arrives during the calm after the storm. There are questions about her arrival. She serves the Raven Queen, but is concerned that she could not find her god in the Shadowfell as she expected. Perhaps there will be clues in this dimension.

Bui figures out that they are in the northern King’s Mountains, on the coast. Eventually the group teleported to their flying tower. The four set out on the flying tower back to Lambasa.

Descending behind the gates of Lambasa, Kissandi spots zombies in a graveyard and flies to the attack. Over the next couple days, the group meets with Elrilmarioum at the University (Roweana), Mike, a trusted town guard (Tyzzer & Bui), and deal out death to more undead (Kissandi).

The heroes learn of guard patrols being used for regular crime, while outsiders (mostly elf brigades) are being sent to deal with the undead and the fire cultists (Imix).

Kissandi tries to figure out what is leading the rise of undead in Lambasa. She finds triangular patterned symbols in a recently defaced shrine to Corellon.

Rowena studies at the university trying to put together information to help the group. A note arrives from PR III (signed FB – short for Flame Brother) to set up a meeting.

Later Bui & Tyzzer meet with Van de Vries and tell him that he is not doing his job. He clearly feels threatened by the heroes and is not trusted by them.

All turn their attention to piecing together clues about the rise of the undead and where the next hit may be. Kissandi gathers clues from her two nights of slaughtering undead in the city. Tyzzer talks to town guards for more information. Rowena looks for details in written works. Bui uses his street smarts to discern patterns on the map. Together the group is able to uncover a pattern.

The timing expected is the same night as the proposed meeting with PR III outside of town. Bui uses a ritual twice to communicate with PR III. The group is expected to with him later that night, even if they arrive late.

The group sets up at a location of worship, with images of many gods in the cathedral and a large field of gravestones.

It is night. Kissandi hides by the central statue. Rowena is on an adjacent street, her bird flying and trying to see into the pockets of streetlight. Bui is on the roof of the cathedral, away from the moonlight, keeping a lookout. Tyzzer peers out of the opened doors of the cathedral.

Kissandi feels a buzzing and senses vibrations in the statue. Bui, Rowena, and Kissandi see various patches of ground move, as though something or someone is emerging from the graves below. A little later Tyzzer hears a sound behind him, a scraping. He turns to see a hooded figure with stone or metal scraping into a statue about 60-70’ away. A light (looks arcane and/or necrotic to Kissandi) approaches the statue from the opposite side as the cathedral.

Heart of Darkness

The White Wizard was interested in Scathe’s offering and he skeletal hand.

The internal struggle to fight the White Wizard or to parlay and offer him information he sought was coming to a boil.

Xabier wanted to reconcile with the spirit of his brother.

Kal Kathier wanted to return to Athas to help his world.

Scathe wanted a return to her former party.

Shivon sought a way out of the Shadowfell and back to the Feywild.

Kissandi servant of the Raven Queen sought an end to undeath, including the White Wizard.

For a time, the White Wizard vanished and was gone.

Shivon’s POV of the White Wizard Encounter:

“A few weeks ago, I met an odd confluence of characters who had all recently found themselves in the Shadowfell. Having suffered this place for over a year myself, I knew that they were in for the worst experience of their lives.

One of these characters stood out among the others — an elf named Kissandi, a fanatic of the Raven Queen. She promised a way out of the Shadowfell, and although I was skeptical, my desperation led me to follow this woman. That was a bad decision.

Kissandi has led us on a straight path to the most desolate, forsaken place in this desolate, forsaken plane. Through sheer force of will she was able to bully us into believing in her quest, but now we see that she had only her own goals in mind, never those of the rest of us.
Confronting the lich known as the White Wizard is an experience I hope never to repeat — at least not without a squad of Eladrin soldiers behind me. Our group quickly realized that combat with the Wizard was futile, with the only possible outcome being our deaths. When offered the option of a parlay, we acquiesced. Kissandi, however, blind to any common sense by her mad faith in the Raven Queen, would not be stopped. The lich had the power to give each of us what we sought, yet would not consider discussion until the frantic elf was quelled. It was clear that if left to her own devices, Kissandi would kill herself by tossing herself heedlessly over and over against the impenetrable wall of this lich’s defenses. Out of a combination of our own self-preservation and care for Kissandi, our group wrestled her into submission.

The lich was amused by my apparent zest in performing this action and proposed a deal. If I would fight Kissandi in his area, he would tell me how to leave the Shadowfell. As Kissandi had proven that she had no desire to help the rest of us, I felt no compunction against this agreement. The lich transported us to his arena where the battle was to take place. I was at peace with what was to happen — I would either earn my way out of the Shadowfell or die in my efforts. Kissandi, however, once again showed little honor in her approach to the fight. She immediately fell to her knees, dropped her sword, and asked me to kill her. I am a soldier and not a murderer, so initially it did not even cross my mind to follow through with her request. But Kissandi’s pleas became more urgent, and I thought of myself. Kissandi’s unwavering faith in the Raven Queen is unquestionable; if she was ready to put her life in the hands of her god, who was I to deny her this? I did not understand completely, but who would understand if we were in the Feywild and I asked another to throw my body over a mountain cliff, trusting completely in Melora’s plan for me? So I drove my sword through Kissandi’s throat.

My companions, not understanding that this is what Kissandi wanted, charged in to heal her thinking I had just turned on them. Admittedly, I did not help this perception when, in order to stop the cleric, I had the slayer attack her. The cleric went down (a condition I planned to keep temporary, just until Kissandi finished bleeding out), but the slayer charged and attacked me. I was able to convince him that the lich, not I, was his enemy, and that Kissandi wished for death, but before he rampaged off toward the White Wizard, he stabilized the dying elf. I decided to leave her in this state; again, I am not a murderer.

The White Wizard, after revoking his promise to send me home, continued to treat us as his playthings, summoning two golems and a swarm of giant wasps. Seeing his power and endless resources, I realized that this was likely where I was going to die. And understanding this, I decided to go out fighting. Giving the cleric a psychic boost and rallying her spirits enough that she could rejoin the fray and decide her own fate, I charged the golems. The cleric must have further healed Kissandi; unfortunately, she was not able to give the capricious elf any common sense and her first action was to stab me in the back with her falchion while I was engaged with the golems. (This is how she repays me for granting her ultimate wish, yet the others still see me as the disloyal one.) Just before the battle turned completely against us, the lich again offered a parlay if we lay down our weapons. I decided to live another day and avoid dying so far from my god. Kissandi, however, would not.

To all of our surprise, as it seemed like we would never see the light of day again, we were pulled through dimensions and returned to the lich’s library, now restored to its former state. The group was shaken and willing to discuss options. But Kissandi stormed out of the library like a stubborn child. Upon reaching the top of the tower, and without hesitation, she leaped into the air. Another act of blind faith I assume. After scaling down the tower in a more conventional way, our group decided to part ways, agreeing that each of us would be better alone.

The Eladrin from the land he calls Athas, offered to remain in my company if I would return to his land with him. At first, this offer held no interest to me; however, he explained that he wished to restore his land to its former fecund beauty. I recognized this as a calling from Melora, goddess of Nature, to bring her glory back to a land that has lost touch with her. I vowed to return to Athas with Kal Kathier to do the work of my goddess."

Xabier’s account: “Lies! Everyone in this place tells me lies! That vile dead creature tells me that I should not believe what I’ve heard in the library, that I should listen to him. He will not tell me anything of my brother unless I help him destroy the winged one I travel with. No matter, I will destroy her so that I may learn about my brother and the dealings he had, and why he haunts me now. Still I don’t trust him, I will stop Kissandi and the wench Shivon, when the wizard tells me what I will want to hear, I will destroy him as well. I will stand by his side as a trusted ally until such time that my ax will want to taste whatever flesh and blood may still be contained by him. When I am through I will escape this terrible place and go back to find Tyzzer. Regardless of how many of my companions fall I will have the answers that I seek.”

Once returned to the top of the tower, Kissandi saw two sorrowsworn reapers and followed them out the window. Not able to fly like them, she let her wings bring her safely to the base of the tower. The other four heroes saw a glimpse of the backs of the sorrowsworn, unsure of what it was Kissandi was following.

Kissandi’s account: "It is finally confirmed. The Raven Queen WANTS me to continue on. I should not have tested her as I did. But it is done. She has sent certain allies to assist me. These are Tyzzer, Bui and Xabier. I must take him and leave this land to return to the other two asap. Unless the Raven Queen sends me a sign. "

At the bottom of the tower, the group parted ways – Kal Kathier convincing Shivon to the help in Athas to revitalize Feywild there and Scathe and Xabier following Kissandi at least for now. To leave, they still had the tall task of saving Sunderheart first…

The Wizard in the White Tower (part 2)

The noise came up from the stairs below. Something was ascending from level 5 of the tower.

All, but Scathe ran to the spiral stairwell to meet it. “Stand down!” was heard from below. The heroes charged into battle against enlarged gnoll-like creatures and the Blackheart, a wizard with a strong will and some bite in his spells. Xabier critically crashed his axe blade into one of the Blackhearts guards.

Kal Kathier and Shivon fey stepped past the guards to the Blackheart and the battle ensued. After one of the guards was killed, Kal Kathier was knocked unconscious amidst a whirling dervish move he made. Scathe immediately revived him.

Scathe continued to walk amongst the wounded, healing and empowering better defenses against this evil attack. The Blackheart began to convince some in the group that they would fall to the White Wizard, even if they defeated the Blackheart and would become controlled by the White Wizard together.

Shivon and Kal Kathier continued to use their powers of movement to swap places with their allies, sometimes bringing Xabier up to level a deadly blow and sometimes returning into the fray to the surprise of their enemy. Kissandi isolated foes and carefully prepared them to meet the Raven Queen.

After the guards were destroyed it was only a matter of time before the Blackheart fell, too.

The heroes, wounded and tired, ascended the stairs in hopes of resting in the library. Before reaching the top of the stairs, each character received a deathly visage from the White Wizard, each seeing or foreseeing his/her own death at the hands of the White Wizard, and feeling the loss of what could have been or what went wrong.

After these harrowing moments, the heroes reached the top of the stairwell to witness the White Wizard waiting for them. The bookcases that remained standing all collapsed like dominoes away from the White Wizard.

Kal Kathier tried to parlay with the White Wizard who seemed to be offering a chance to leave if the heroes were to share something that he deemed useful. Before the parlay could go far, Kissandi and Xabier dashed forward into battle, Kal Kathier was unable to stop them.

Kal Kathier, Shivon, and Scathe were not convinced to attack. After one attack Xabier received a vision that gave him pause from attack. Kissandi was stunned by the White Wizard.

More discussion followed. Shivon tried unsuccessfully so far to convince the lich to destroy Ivania and Vorno. Kal Kathier continued to talk with the White Wizard.

Scathe came forward and offered a blood vial to him with her bone hand. This effort seemed to relieve the tension that in the air, if only for a moment.

Kissandi, unstunned, rejoined her attack, leveling a powerful radiant energy upon the lich. The lich who had been regaining his size and stature since the initial attacks seemed to shrink a little in size and appeared to notice the power of this attack.

The Wizard in the White Tower

Kal Kathier, Shivon, and Xabier entered the White Tower’s 7th story balcony and encountered the White Wizard, now a lich. The lich intimidated Shivon. Parlaying, Shivon seemed to think the lich held a staff somehow connected to the Raven Queen. For sure the White Wizard was interested in meeting Kissandi, after told about her.

Meanwhile at the residence of the Witch on Downing Street, the witch continued to uncover the story for Kissandi and Scathe, as Scathe’s hand continued to decompose, now just a few tendons and ligaments short of skeletal (yet fully functional). Another appointment, a dwarf (Bayla Grimtor) riding a bear (Anuk), came to meet with the witch. After meeting the witch, the dwarf told Kissandi and Scathe that she was able to come and go from this domain of dread, not stuck here like everyone else.

The rest of the group returned and in a split decision, Kissandi convinced the others that meeting Ivania could wait, but the lich must be dealt with.

Rest was interrupted by the Black Carnival, an event when everyone wears a mask, the doors and windows of all homes are thrown open and light shines throughout the city as the dead return and party with the living.

Rest was better the next morning, enough to help a little. Midafternoon the heroes made another difficult trip up the cliffs and the White Tower to see the lich.

After a short discussion, the White Wizard disappeared. Kissandi believes she scared the lich away.

The group went down to the 6th floor of the tower, a library with rows of bookshelves and fought a large bone golem and a man who said he was a friend of the White Wizard. The main used psychic powers to get the heroes to fight amongst themselves and put up a good fight before he and the golem were destroyed. Much of the heroes energies were spent. They unsuccessfully tried to catch a short rest as something else approached…

Uncovering the Meaning of Sunder...heart

Night ended more than morning broke. Very dim light entered as the heroes struggled to withstand the effects of this Domain of Dread. The despair took Xabier Bloodcaster to a knee. New life entered him when he downed a vial of condensed blood.

The townsfolk nearby were gathering up the scattered and torn remains of the boy who had died the past night in the streets. Shivon interrupted to interrogate the people about the best way into the castle.

When information was not forthcoming, Kissandi threw one of the citizens into the wall, knocking him out.

After throwing the boat’s young owner overboard, the party took a barge to row under the castle into Tomb City, to go to the Broken Library, along the edge of the Bleak Abyss.

After rowing under the castle, the group was rowing past a hasty burial and makeshift ceremony for Timmy.

After a short interaction with those burying the boy, an old lady pointed at the heroes, blaming them for fighting their undead relatives in the street and blaming them for the death of Timmy. Xabier brought his axe down through the old woman’s forearm, severing it. Before Scathe could save her, she bled out. Quickly considering their options, the other citizens began digging a second plot.

The heroes rowed up to the Broken Library, that literally leaned over the Bleak Abyss, parts of the library clearly had already be sucked away into the abyss.

Upon entry, the group encountered Nephigor, who they would later uncover was possibly a ghost of a devil. Nephigor made a deal with Xabier – Xabier’s soul for the return of his brother.

Lightning cracked, a ceiling board split above the group, and the dying body of what appeared to be Xabier’s brother fell down into the room. Xabier killed him to death.

Nephigor gave information and gave the party an option of how to get out of Sunderheart – to get the Wizard of the Tower to confront Ivania and while they fought, the heroes could escape by sailing over Grimriver Falls, that would take them into the River Styx.

The group gathered scrolls and books and took them to the Witch on Downing Street.

The Witch read and put some details together, but said she would need more information. The group agreed not to fight the undead on this night – the Witch suggested that many more would come, since they would have communicated somehow about the battle put on between the undead and the heroes the night before.

After a restless night, filled with horrors for some, the group rose and went back to get the boat. The boat’s owner jumped into the river and swam away before Kissandi could throw him back in the water. The group rowed back to Tomb City.

Kissandi and Scathe returned to the Bleak Abyss, used Scathe’s bag of holding and took everything they could find back to the Witch on Downing Street.

Meanwhile, Kal-Kathier, Shivon, and Xabier climbed the steep cliff, using their abilities to fey step, good teamwork, and sheer athleticism. Next, they cleverly used a raven, a rope, and ingenuity to climb the White Tower to the 6th/7th floor where a terrace and the only notable entrance could be seen.

Atop the tower they felt a sudden cold – and each took 10 necrotic damage. They went to enter the tower…

Meanwhile the Witch was uncovering much history of Ivania and Vorno, of the wizard who now was a lich and of a few possible ways to get out of Sunderheart and possibly save it…

Stories that the Witch on Downing Street said she uncovered in reading the many tomes, books, and scrolls from the Broken Library books brought by Kissandi and Scathe:

“When the devil-bound empire of Bael Turath was enthroned as ruler over half the world, Harrack Unarth glittered as the brightest jewel in its crown. Set within the granite cliffs of the massive Grimstone Mountain, Harrack Unarth was fed by the emerald vale nestled close to its gates and slaked by the sapphire waters of three rivers that cascaded spectacularly down the rock behind the city.

Wealth flowed into Harrack Unarth as steadily as the Grimriver flowed from it. Bumping boats and jostling caravans brought goods from far-off lands. Wealthy nobles from across Bael Turath built bright villas on the shores of the city’s pristine lake. It was known far and wide as a city of spice, pleasure, play, and love. And no love was more famed than that of the Harrack Unarth’s rulers, Ivania Dreygu and Vorno Kahnebor.

The story of their romance was legend. Sole heirs to two feuding noble houses, Ivania and Vorno prevailed despite violent efforts by both feuding families to stop their love. When the last envenomed dagger had fallen from a death-weakened hand, Ivania and Vorno unified their holdings and took control of Harrack Unarth, the city where they first met. Together they ushered in a festive age. Harrack Unarth became known as the City of Carousal.

Yet like most legends, hidden truths lurk behind the bards’ honeyed words. The Dreygu and Kahnebor houses spared no love for one another, but they were unified in their desire to separate the young lovers. The Dreygu family, often thought depraved by those who glimpsed its inner life, saw Ivania as a “troubled” girl. And House Kahnebor had long struggled to cover up the results of Vorno’s dark appetites. A rare tete-a-tete between Lord Dreygu and Lady Kahnebor led to a resolution to separate them before their infatuation had its inevitable destructive result.

Yet love, true love, grows stronger in adversity, and so it was with Ivania and Vorno. Once forcibly separated, Vorno cut a bloody escape from his own family. A nighttime raid into the Dreygu estate and another murderous flight set them on the path to a pauper’s life together. Yet their outraged families could not leave well enough alone. After two years of cat-and-mouse exchanges, ambushes, and assassinations, Ivania and Vorno reclaimed their birthrights.

The two left behind the cities of their births and brokered with the emperor for control of Harrack Unarth, the throne of which was recently made vacant by the drowning of the lord mayor. They held a lavish festival for their arrival, and the celebration never truly ended. Behind closed doors and high garden walls, Ivania and Vorno introduced many of their new friends to increasingly obscure intoxicants, decadent delicacies, and bizarre entertainments. Meanwhile Ivania and Vorno continued to pursue the twisted pastimes for which House Kahnebor had paid to silence. Those they brought into their deadly games rarely remained players for long.

The expense of the nobles’ parties fueled trade to the city, making it a hub of strange goods from around the world. The wealth and rarities flowing to the city drew the eye of the emperor, and Ivania and Vorno became frequent guests at his court. It’s said that they returned the favor by setting up secret debaucheries from which only the hosts and their Imperial guest returned.

When the emperor sought infernal ties to secure his rule, he knew to whom he should turn. Ivania and Vorno readily agreed to shelter the first tests of the devils’ bargain, but their delight at this prospect had more to do with the opportunity it presented than loyalty to their lord. With the devils close at hand, they could cut their own bargains.

Their accomplice in the secret pact was Nephigor, a devil assigned to oversee the first rites. What Ivania and Vorno sought was nothing less than unending youth. They wished to continue their lives together forever, and for this they would give up their souls. The years would not touch them. Contagion would pass them by. Only by accident or intent could their lives be taken, and when this happened, as Nephigor must have know it inevitably would, their souls would pay the price for the joys they shared in life.

When the nobility of all Bael Turath found their way into the devils’ bargain, Ivania and Vorno were already enjoying the benefits of their promise. Youthful vigor flooded through them and drove them to greater heights of frivolity and darker depths of depravity. While the rest of the empire reacted with horror and fear at the work that was being wrought, even while the city’s lakeside villas were emptied of aristocrats, the people of Harrack Unarth danced in streets strewn with their noble’s gold.

Yet time did take its toll. As the years collected into decades, Vorno, always fitful and prone to bouts of depression, drew deeper within himself and grew increasingly paranoid. He knew his habits had made him many enemies, and now any danger threatened not only his life but his should. A simple fall could set his spirit on fire for eternity.

Ivania, on the other hand, took vicious joy from living. She tried many times to draw the man she loved from the shadow that skulked through their palace on the river. At times she could evoke his old spirit, cajoling Vorno’s cruel streak out for deviant play, but these times came less and less often. The two lovers, once inseparable partners, became estranged.

At length, Ivania grew tired of Vorno, tired of his petty jealousies and his simpering attempts at affection, tired of his watchful shadow lurking on the edge of her vision, tired of his unwashed stink and his suspicious eyes. She resolved to tempt him out of his shell one last time.

Securing the most beautiful girl in the city, Ivania plied the coy young woman with jewels, silks, and exotic spices. Together they drank, ate, danced, and played, all under the hidden gaze of Vorno. With the blush of innocences still upon her cheeks, the girl fell into a narcotic stupor. Ivania left her then, knowing what Vorno would do.

The fiend could not resist. He took her, and when at last the predilections born of his youth overcame him, he devoured her flesh. Ivania had planned for this. She had hidden her toxins beneath the stupefacient spices and liquors. The girl had boiled with poison but blissfully felt nothing. The same could not be said for dread Vorno. He died as terribly as he had lived. Ivania Dreygu watched him die. In Vorno’s final moments, he saw in her eyes that not only had she willfully killed him and consigned his soul to the Hells, but that she had also murdered their love. Thus, a dark lord was born.

Harrack Unarth, City of Carousal, took little joy during the funeral celebrations. Many noted the lack of prominent faces among the crowd. As time elapsed the city fell into Shadow and curses were left on all that touched this place."

The Witch says there are three options…
1) Kill Ivania and the Ghoul (Vorno) attached to her back – this will only destroy them for a day, but during this time those involved in their deaths could leave through the Mists, escaping the Shadowfell. Unfortunately the undead residents of Tomb City will swarm over Sunderheart after a day, slaying with abandon.

2) Kill the hellbound that are within the wall and convince the Wizard of the White Tower to leave his home and confront Ivania and the Ghoul. While the loch and the dark lord battle, escape is possible by riding a boat over Grimriver Falls to splash down into the River Styx, and then find a way to escape the Noine Hells.

3) Permanently destroy Ivania and the Ghoul in one of the two ways:

a) by having Ivania say Vorno’s name and be remorseful for her betrayal, whereupon both of their souls will be transported to the Nine Hells to fulfill their bargain with Nephigor.

OR

b) by engaging the Ghoul without fighting back or awakening Ivania’s will. Then lure the Ghoul on a chase though the River Palace to the room where Vorno was murdered and where Ivania first confronted the horror of her new existence. This dark complex lies deep in the least used area of the River Palace. There they must be slain."

Entry into Sunderheart, Domain of Dread

Nexes: “I will accept your final payment and then take you to the shore.” Kal Kathier gave him more food.

Upon final payment, Nexes says, “I see it is getting harder for you. You may need these…” (and shows vials of thick red liquid) Nexes will say it will reinvigorate you, but don’t use it too much (It is condensed blood). Kissandi rejects it. Xabier drinks one and buys several more for himself and Scathe.

Nexes says “Get rid of any illumination”

As Nexes and Xabier rowed the raft towards the first wall of Sunderheart, one of the dredgers called out for the group to go away. The dredgers seemed surprised to see a raft full of people approaching the city. Many dead, bloated corpses and lots of flotsam and jetsam floated in the water. The dredger ran away to summon the guard.

After sailing under the entry gate, the party was greeted by fast approaching town guard.

Nexes left the party and rowed away.

The group grew weary of the “greeting” they received. Kissandi stated her desire to meet the person in charge. The guards didn’t cooperate.

The city was a series of islands, divided by a main river flowing through the center and lots of canals that served as roads between. Some bridges connected some islands. Barges and punts sailed regularly for transportation. During the day the city was bustling with regular activity. The irregularity was that everyone seemed to have some sort of birth defect. On one person, it was a third leg. Another had extra fingers. Another had one color hair on one side and another on the other side of her head. Xabier found a woman with three breasts.

Scathe noticed the skin on her hands flaking off.

In a market, a little boy suggested the group meet the Witch on Downing Street. The group followed the boys advice and went to this location where they met an old, blind woman, her eyes sewn shut, who had a viable eye in the palm of her hand that she used to look around. She offered advice and knowledge and said she would give more if the group could go to the Broken Library, leaning over the edge of the Bleak Abyss and uncover the knowledge that she believes will help uncover the way out of Sunderheart.

The first night came and as foretold, dead arrived on barges. Kissandi, Kal-Kathier, Xabier, and Shivon’s falcon did battle on the island where the Witch on Downing Street lived. Kal-Kathier twirled his blades, cutting enemy after enemy down. Kissandi used a glowstone from Shivon to radiantly melt several undead as they approached the light. Xabier drooled as he waded through an undead enemy at a time in search of his brother Bael. They were victorious, but presumably only did battle with a small fraction of all those who entered from Tomb City.

The next day, the group agreed to be arrested by the sheriff, sleep for the night in the jail, and allow the sheriff to kill 3 others who were in the jail at the time, possibly criminals, supposedly so they didn’t tell of what happened. The sheriff did not want word to spread that he acted against Lady Ivania Dreygu or said anything about The Ghoul that was stitched to her back.

Kissandi and the others were planning to kill Lady Ivania, with the thought of using the river to enter under the palace, fight the monsters, the hellhound, and anything else that was there to gain entry into the palace first.

Evidence gathered by the heroes to kill Lady Ivania comes from the sheriff, who wants his opinion kept secret, the general feeling that this placed is cursed and the curse needs lifting, and a spiritual feeling by Kissandi to seek out the leader of the town.

As we are flying over the land where we saw a big battle on the way to the ziggurat, we see that there is now a huge crater and a lot of nasty alien things. Craynor talks to one of the fallen and gains that it was a battle between towns, started by youth of the other town who attacked their elves. The commoner blames inaction and lack of protection on King Goodwell II.

Samaa and Emerth find us.

We head up to the earth mote place.

Guess what. We fight the earthquake dragon. Who could have seen that coming?

The dragon tries to fly away, but Rowena calls on the powers of the elements and crushes the dragon.

It seems we lost a week in the Ziggurat – it should have been less than a day…hmmmm

Stonearm Scourge and Balarus the Efreet are likely dead – trapped in the ziggurat with the alien force inside, too. The ziggurat is now gone.

The Deluvian Hourglass in Sight, Escaping the Ziggurat Not So Much

April 16 (?), 994 continued continued continued

We make our way into the cavern. The drop from the opening of the shaft to the floor is 20 ft. There is luminous water. It lights the whole cavern. Three islands. One with twisted vine like masses. Another has monkeys and bugs. The third has treant. The second has monkey swarm. Xabier drops in and swims back up. The water is only about 10 ft deep. Tyzzer drops in.

Xabier finds a sack full of goodies near the alter and takes it.

We kill of the bad guys and then more bad guys – demons- show up to replace them. Jeff’s house blows up.

Xabier turns into a devil. This is distracting to the nalfeshnee demons, and to the others in the party.

We kill all of the demons after Xabier tries to intimidate the demon – unsuccessfully. There is a large red creature up in the shaft.

Vani flies up der and sees a red guy – Santa? Efreet more likely. There is a also a medium creature above – the Stonearm Scourge, and a little construct.

The Stonearm Scourge tells us to give up or give up the monk. He also wants the Deluvian Hourglass.

Vani flies up the other shaft and sees the hourglass guarded by bad guys. There is a mosaic of the fat lady with skinny lady. There is a sebastian gleaner and 3 crystal constructions, one with sebacean apes stacked atop one another, and the other two with large evil looking creatures.

Notes from the larva mage: in common the larva mage was doing arcane research on the pods in the room. Tyzzer feels the pods were alien to this world. Maybe aberrant. Maybe they were going to hatch. Maybe not. Many hypothesis (plural).

The journals go in the spider. It is loaded. Like a diaper. Loaded Diaper.

Rowena checks out the fat statue. So does Craynor, but in a different way.

Historical statue from an ancient civilization

We exit to the West. It goes along ways. At least ¼ mile. Short rest. Path continues. Path breaks left right or straight or stairs down.

Go down the stairs.

Then we go left. We could have gone right. But we didn’t. ⅛ of a mile later. The pathway is blocked with rocks. The cave-in seems old. It seems old and thick.

We go back and then we go right. We run into left, right, or straight. We go left. A long pathway later is a crypt. We loudly walk into it.

There is a tapestry with a black-skinned man with a two-headed tiger and mountains. The mountains look like pyramids – some of them do. Our light source does not penetrate the darkness as normal. Bui feels a connection to the Shadowfell. Maybe a rift. Craynor sees a shadowy movement. He charges it.

It is a ghost. It possesses Alphariel. Fighting ensues.

Craynor finds 2 potions

We leave after freeing ghost and after three contract mummy rot.

We go back and go the original straight.

We go to a waterfall room. The builder’s didn’t plan for this. We see the broken remnants of crypts. Lots of bad guys and some floating gibbering talking creatures. We leave.

We go to the path less traveled. Back to intersection. Everything is all MC Escher.

We go back to the shaft. Craynor climbs down.

Everyone else stops wussing out and climbs or flies down too. There are islands in water. Altar. Treant.

The Release of Rukaleth, the Bound Guardian

April 16, 994

We venture down into the lair of the Dracolich. There is a pyramid. Bones cover the slopes. Clusters of eggs cover the back of the room. Basins with dripping goo green are on the northern wall. The room is illuminated by the phosphorescent light from the green basins. Bones all around the pyramid.

Ceilings are 40 ft high.

The dragon makes us all afraid. And then he breathes necrosis on us. We fight.

The dragon refers to himself as Rukaleth, the Bound Guardian. He says, “Bound here as I am, I take no joy in your inevitable destruction, mortals…”

We kill it. It thanks us for granting him the final release that it has craved for centuries. It was the first real dragon that Tyzzer killed.

Xabier and Alphariel are afraid of water and weiner wizards.

Mummified dragon eggs. Craynor cracks open an egg it is full of dead stuff.

The green water area – the water is magical

We also find treasure by the dragon eggs:
Alphariel finds 700 pp and fist size star sapphire (5000 gp) in a small sack
Craynor finds a ring and gives it to Tyzzer (Luminary Ring LVL 22)
Vani drinks the magical water – she feels like she couldn’t be stunned

The dungeon is weird – elevations are all screwy, possibly even interplanar. It seems we are on the trail to the ancient artifact.

We leave from a stairway that we didn’t enter from after vani flies down a shaft. She finds nothing after flying down 200 ft with darkvision.

And then we go up the stairs entering into a room that has a tornado creature (earthwind ravager) and four crystalline obelisks shooting lightning with four sebascean’s. There are 4 exits out of the room.

We kill the aberrants and the earthwind ravager. Xabier goes back to get magic water. We all do. We all have the water in our water skins. We don’t notice anything…

We go down a ziggurat \ and it opens up into another room. It has four wispy pods with swirling green liquid. We came in from the north. Red marble statue on far end of room – fat human woman. Alcove to the east. Path to the west.

Heading Towards Despair, the Cliffs of Despair

At dawn amidst the Mists, Kissandi used telepathy to try to convince the aboleths to let them pass. Aboleth skum and servitors emerged and attacked all those on the raft. The aboleth lasher moved in and did battle with Xabier. The aboleth overseer stayed back, dominating Shivon, and using her powers to injure Kissandi and use Kissandi to injure Scathe.

Kal-Kathier cut down several skum and servitors. Xabier took a lashing, but he was able to destroy the lasher. Shivon, after she finally broke free of the domination, protected the party with a beam of fey energy. Scathe continued to heal her allies, before being momentarily knocked unconscious. Kissandi took a stance that destroyed enemies that started next to her. Aboleth hatchlings emerged and were quickly destroyed.

After all but the overseer were destroyed, Shivon and Kissandi leapt onto the overseer. The overseer submerged itself with both Shivon and Kissandi holding on. Shivon was knocked off. Kissandi and the overseer descended to 50’ below see level and the battle continued. Shivon was pulled up by Scathe. Shivon guided Scathe to heal Kissandi. Shivon rejoined the underwater battle.

Two large death drinker skeletons swam towards the fight. The overseer escaped. Shivon helped Kissandi swim up. As the two made it to the surface, the skeletons reached out to grab them, one succeeding and grabbed Shivon. Shivon was able to burst one of her necklace beads to help her escape and damage the now-insubstantial skeleton.

Kal-Kathier, Xabier, and Scathe joined the battle. Kissandi relished destroying these abominations of life.

After defeating this enemy, both Kissandi and Shivon were able to shake off the effects of the dark water they had entered, but Scathe realized that the areas of her armor and of her arms and hands that she used to pull Shivon out were affected and aging. Her armor rusted and aged. The skin on her hands loosened remarkably and she felt her hands and forearms turning into whatever Nexes was, a skeletal looking human. Scathe fell to her knees and retched. Shivon tried to help. Kissandi asked the Raven Queen if it was Scathe’s time? Kissandi felt guidance from the Raven Queen that Scathe was not undead, just affected substantially.

The group continued rowing between the Mists. As they continued a few of them noticed two farmers on a raft a ways off, one grabbed by the Mists and pulled off the raft and right into Mists. The other farmer rowed as fast as he could in the other direction.

Trumpeted and screeching animal sounds along with human screams could be heard from a forested island that was partially covered by Mists. The trees on the island were white wood. The group decided to ignore it and continue on.

Nexes told the group head north through the islands to reach the center of the bay and Sunderheart, go slightly northwest and reach Glimmerhope Crag, or go slightly northeast and reach the Cliffs of Despair. Kissandi said to go northeast and for the Cliffs of Despair.

On the way there, weaving between the small islands, the heroes noticed muddy farm islands where they could hear common being spoken in the distance. The plants appeared unhealthy, the black-leafed trees with thousands of bulbous, bone-colored apples. A sore covered sow was giving birth to several limping piglets, one with only three legs, another with two legs and two half-legs.

The group kept on rowing and approached a mountain spur, surely the one known as the Cliffs of Despair. The cliff overlooks the Black Bay. Though the haze, two humanoids holding hands could be seen atop the cliff. Moments later, the two stepped off the cliff and without a sound fell to their deaths.

Working with a Former Nemesis to Save the World

April 9th, 994

Wow. That fight was Epic (level)!

We head back to Castle Locatha and the storm has stopped completely

We encounter the Stone Arm Scourge and one of his little golem guys.
- He tells us to meet PR III again. He has info.
- We go back through the same portal, and PR is there.
- The Deluvian Hourglass has moved and is nearby.
> Associate Zarenthal (the Imix Cult leader from Lambasa) can transport us to the ziggurat.
>The Hourglass was to be used by the Primordials in the Dawn War to take back the world from the gods.
-PR III wants Stonearm to come with us to the Hourglass. After much conversation, we decide that’s not gonna happen.
-We don’t really want to take Zarenthal back to the castle, but we do because he’s the only one who knows where to go. Craynor beats him up periodically.

We fly the castle for several days south along the King’s Mountains under Zarenthal’s direction.

We spot a figure (Emerth) flying on a silver sphinx (Samaa) appears with a message from Krombaalt the storm giant. In order to prove himself, he tells us that the king’s daughter is a bitch.
- Emerth says he needs our assistance.
- He wants to perform an arcane ritual with our castle as a focus. This will be a gift for Krombaalt.
- We’re down with this until he tells us that it will take many days.
- He did mention an ancient earthquake dragon named Kul-Gira who has not been heard from in many years and must be dead.
> We agree to meet him again in a week to help him with the ritual. He’ll find us.

As we fly overland, we see battles are occurring in SW Terkent, and we don’t know why.

April 16th, 994

We get to our destination and Arcane powers are diminished right now. Also, we smell sulfur.

More and more flames.

We get to a burning building. Clearly this is a place controlled by Imix.

Zarenthal says we need to enter a ring of fire in order to be teleported to the ziggurat.
- “Look for the silver lake. Look for the ziggurat.”
- We see a ziggurat in the distance and head toward the clearing.
- Vani, Craynor, and Alphariel swim in the lake to see if they can find another way in. No luck.
- We go up the stairs and into the ziggurat. It’s about 400 feet tall.
- Vani flies down a pit in the entryway and sees a bone dragon about 60 feet down. We don’t go that way.
- Instead, we go into the main room that has a dome.
- ATTACKED BY MUTATEDAPES! ANDGLIDERS! ANDGUARDIANS!
> They die
> Rowena discovers that some of the aliens’ bodies adapt and develop a resistance to the first type of damage that hits them – seems very useful for them.
- The dome is cracked, and we could break it, but we don’t, then we do
- We follow one of the hallways for about ¼ mile, descending ~ 1000 feet to a room with more aberrant shit including a couple of gorgers, a gleaner, and more mutant apes with lots of extra body parts and slimey stuff. Blood fills channels, but it’s not that big a deal.
- Before he died, the gleaner spoke both in deep speech and common, telling us:
> “Turn back before the sublime potency of the sebaceous!”
> “You cannot hope to defeat all of us!”
> “When one sebacean falls, the Mad Architects send two more to take its place!”
> “Fools! You’ll be entombed here and forgotten forever!” and
> “You cannot postpone…the inevitable…”

Nexes and the Black Sea

Kissandi whistled to get the attention of the hooded figure slowly paddling the raft 50’ off the shore.

The creature appeared to be skeletal. Kissandi readied an attack before Scathe’s told her that Melora assured her that this creature was not undead.

The creature paddled the boat over, whispering “What do you have to offer for safe passage?” Eventually Kal-Kathier offered some Athasian meat and Xabier gave Nexes 1,000 gp for passage to Sunderheart.

Nexes asked “why would you want to go to Sunderheart?”

When Kissandi caught a glance at the shrouded face of Nexes it appeared to be a skeletal reflection of Kissandi’s face.

Nexes cautioned the heroes not to enter the water and assured them they would need to fight. He said that difficulties they passed would be much easier than ones they were to avoid. He said, “my raft, my rules!”

Nexes requested Xabier’s great axe. Reluctantly, Xabier gave it to Nexes. Nexes turned it into an oar, but said Xabier would be able to return it to its true form as needed. Nexes staff also changed to an oar.

When Xabier saw Nexes face, it appeared a skeletal reflection of Xabier’s face.

Night was falling. The water was inky black and the night was darkening, too. A dim light emanated from Shivon’s necklace, barely illuminating the area surrounding the raft as Xabier and Nexes slowly and quietly paddled them further in a direction that seemed to run parallel to the where the coast extended.

Xabier’s spirit sank. The water beckoned him in. He felt his resistance weakening.

After a couple hours of rowing, two sharks and a sea cat attacked the party. Nexes said, “This means we are in safe waters.” The sea cat got a couple of bites on Kissandi and the sharks bit a couple of others, but the party repelled them well with Kal-Kathier striking multiple sharks at a time, Shivon psychically repelling the sea cat from dragging Kissandi into the water and Kissandi flinging the sea cat back on her own once. Scathe weakened and forced the sharks to retreat. Xabier sliced into the sharks with his great axe. Soon the sharks were killed, one kept for its meat. The sea cat stopped the attack and fled the scene.

About 2-4 hours of paddling later, muffled screams could be heard. Soon, appearing under the clouds crackling with lightning was a ship being torn apart by a shadow kraken.

With hard paddling by Kal-Kathier and Xabier, The Raven Queen’s divine guidance directed through Kissandi, Shivon’s arcanaically acrobatic stunts to save the raft from drifting wreckage and calling upon Melora’s power to direct the storm to center the Kraken’s energies on destroying the larger ship and ignoring the raft, and Scathe’s efforts to walk on the water while pushing the raft forward, the small raft made a narrow escape from the reach and attention of the Kraken.

A couple hours later as dawn began to appear, the light was broken up by several large areas of mist. The mists seemed otherworldly and many screams and loud, strange sounds emanated from them. Nexes said none return who enter the mists. As Nexes guided the raft to avoid the mists, two aboliths emerged, eyes fixed on the heroes.

Surrounded by Death

The Shadowfell path continues…

The group continued moving until they needed to rest. The darkness had crept in.

Scathe set up a strong protective force around the group as they tried to rest. Frequent, at times constant, attempts by undead to break through failed. The darkness grew ever so slightly lighter and death crept back into the shadows.

The heroes trudged on.

They didn’t know for how long.

Eventually they saw a coast in the distance. Before the coast was a forest of white, leafless trees. The trees seemed to move and clearly there was movement amongst them.

From the trees came a screening woman. On both sides, emerging from the shadows, several crawling undead made their way towards her. As she got closer to the heroes, the undead stopped their approach and then retreated back towards the shadows, clearly eyeing the woman and what could be their easy prey.

Bewildered she didn’t seem to even notice the group. Kissandi leveled her sword and told her to stop. The woman kept running. Xabier charged and tried to destroy her, but as he swung his axe the woman tripped, did a forward roll and then just kept running and screaming through and past the heroes.

They did not pursue her, continuing on towards the forest.

Entering the forest the group noticed movement and found a boar rider, something like a gnoll, but not a gnoll. Two other large boars followed. The group was ready to attack when the rider grunted at them. Kal-Kathier understood him (thanks to the potion) and turned to see what he was grunting about. Behind them some piles of leaves were moving.

Xabier dove axe first into a pile and splattered a ghoul that was crawling within. It’s blood sprayed into Xabier’s eyes and didn’t feel very good.

The others followed, destroying several ghoul hungeres while Shivon fought a tougher abyssal ghoul. Scathe aided her allies, tending their wounds and weakening the enemy as Kal-Kathier, Kissandi, and Xabier fought to destroy the hungerers. Meanwhile a zombie horde moved in on Xabier.

While the heroes fought the ghouls, the leader of the boars fought other undead nearby.

When the horde was defeated, the heroes noticed that two of the boars had died in the fight. The leader, nicknamed Grunt by the heroes because that is how his speech sounded to all of them except Kal-Kathier, said we are lucky that it was not night, things were much worse then.

Visibly surprised that the group was heading to Sunderheart, Grunt said the only entry was by water and the only way he knew of was to take the raft manned by Nexes. Grunt warned the group to only travel during the day on the water and to follow whatever Nexes said, being that he or it was the only possible safe passage to where they wanted to go.

Dusk had fallen as the heroes neared the coast.

Just about 100-200 feet off the coast, the group noticed a small raft paddled by a skeletal-like figure in a robe with a staff or an oar…

The Gods, an Oracle, and Craynor vs. the Gnolls

The group is huddled in the castle and is still in a state of chaos. We make the plan to travel deeper into the castle to try to find a portal or something that can get us out of here.

Some people (many of the PCs) want to find a way to fight Adaelanter.

Elektra is a bitch and says that her dad could solve this, but she doesn’t want to do anything about it. Bui convinces her to follow us for awhile.

Tyzzer, Alph, Craynor, Xabier, Shivon, and Skyblade go up to try to get a lay of the land.

Shivon can tell that Melora is present in this storm and is trying to maintain control. Shivon wants to aid her god however possible.

Bui takes charge of the remaining group quite effectively.

They go down.

Elektra takes a group through a different door. This group includes Sarax and Carnavon.

The Tyzzer group realizes that outside the gods are fighting and there’s not much we could do about that. It’s likely they came here because the castle drew them here. They head back down.

They go down to a main room and see . . . something shadowy. It’s a she-wok. (or an oracle)

She offers to tell the fate of Vani and Tyzzer. Tyzzer is sceptical — he believes in making his own fate. Vani steps up.

The Deluvian Hourglass is missing it is one of the greatest magical treasures and has ties to the end of the world. We must keep it safe if we want to save the world. It might be lost in one of the ziggurats they used to store stolen artifacts.

We search a bit and find two portals.

The she-wok tells us that Yeenoghu is loose in the world, so Craynor runs off to fight the gnus on the other side of Portal #2.

Tyzzer feels like Portal #1 is pulling him, so he and everyone other than Craynor go through that one.

We go through the first portal and PR III is there in a volcano surrounded by Imix people. The short version of the conversation is that we are kinda working together to expose the fact that King Goodwell is an imposter. PR III is going to get us information that the real Goodwell is dead and the current king is an imposter. Once we get this info, we will work to make the people aware of this and bring the imposter to justice.

Tyzzer thinks that the group is going back to Lambasa, but instead we go through the Craynor portal and immediately start fighting gnolls.

FIGHT!

Craynor is already in the shit. He gets attacked and Tyzzer immediately inspires him to crit both gnolls who dared to attack him.

A Beckoning Call?

Despair began to set in on all except Kissandi.

The heroes turned to each other.

Shivon turned to Kal-Kathier. After slowing down her speech to try to make the well tanned, primitive elf who spoke a foreign language understand, she gave up and questioned Scathe about the portals. Shivon was pissed that none of these people had the wherewithal to understand how they came to the Shadowfell. She didn’t even bother questioning the crazy guy with the axe.

Xabier, guided by the voice of tortured soul of his dead brother Bael, approached Kissandi.

Kissandi prayed and felt she saw the face and the beckoning fingers of the Raven Queen. Shivon tried to interrupt Kissandi’s prayers and get an answer, but Kissandi remained focused.

Soon later, Kissandi began walking in the direction she thought the Raven Queen was leading her, towards a distant woods in the gray darkness ahead.

The others decided to follow her.

Eyes seemed to follow them everywhere. The trees seemed like they would reach out and grab them.

At one time, Xabier noticed a strange winged figure above the trees. Later they would all see this again, a sorrowsworn!

After some time, they overheard and encountered a battle/feeding in progress. Zombies surrounded three shadar-kai. The heroes (other than Shivon) dived in and helped, felling the zombies left and right. Scathe put a protective spell around the one injured shadar-kai.

Shivon decided to have some fun, first infiltrating the weak-minded Xabier’s psyche and having him attack the zombies for her, then making some of the zombies eat at themselves. The injured shadar-kai, not at Shivon’s bidding, began to eat itself, too.

Soon the zombies were destroyed. The shadar-kai, seemingly deathly injured and likely transforming into a zombie was beheaded by the swooping sorrowsworn who then flew away.

The remaining shadar-kai turned out not to be normal. They knew of the execution of Bael. They said it was a small part of the beginnings of a place they said was cursed. A place called Sunderheart. One of the Shadar-kai was named Bloodbeat. He has three nostrils. The other shadar-kai had 7 fingers on each hand. It seems the people of what is now Sunderheart are all cursed, and possibly all they encounter become cursed, too. Directions were given to Sunderheart.

Bloodbeat cursed Melora, so Shivon threw the shimmering image of her feystrike longsword right through that bastard’s head because F that dude for not understanding the power of Melora! The other shadar-kai departed, wanting to get as far from Sunderheart as possible.

The group set off. Days later, some feeling rejuvenated, others more depressed, the group made it to the Dead Man’s Cross. The Dead Man was consulted for directions to Sunderheart. He extended one of his skeletal fingers. Shivon asked how to get to the Feywild, and the dead man’s skin pulled across his face in a wry smile, but his finger remained pointed in the same direction. The group set off. After some time, Kissandi wondered if the others were still there, following her. She looked back and noticed them and in the distance three more.

She drew the other heroes attention to those that followed. Kal-Kathier recognized one as a guard of Tectucktitlay and charged forward. After words were shared, the leader, Ar-Ke-Kee-Tah, seemed to be interested in following Kal-Kathier if he were to replace Tectucktitlay in Athas. A mild poison was endured by Kal-Kathier. He then received 7 potion. Each potion lasts 1 day and allows Kal-Kathier to understand and be understood in spoken word.

Ar-Ke-Kee-Tah and his guards departed, saying they hoped to see Kal-Kathier back home again.

The group continued towards the direction they hoped was Sunderheart as night fell…

Kissandi is not Alone

(Shivon) Another dead end. How could these fools that she paid so well have led her to this endless grave site? How could dreadful get worse, but it was. Shivon cursed the shadar-kai and continued on. A strong, grizzled humanoid figure stood a couple hundred feet ahead, blood dripping from his greataxe, clearly scanning both ways for more – a quick flash of light to the left of him – what was that?!? That never happens in this dismal realm…now he is raising his axe…

(Xabier) The graveyard had reawoken. Everyone was running. The children’s legs were not long enough to outrun this horde of undead. Marching directly into the thickest area, he remembered the battle when he earned his last name and the viscious ceremony that followed. No blood was cast when he sent the dead’s limbs and heads flying. The dead lie all around. It should have felt so right, but something was wrong. The overcast day seemed to grow duller and darker. A sinking feeling of hopelessness crept within him. Xabier was not home anymore. He looked for more. A flash of light pulsed through the air not too far away. Then darkness. Bitter. Cold. Darkness. But surely there were more of the dead coming from over there. Habit took over as he raised his axe…

(Scathe) The moment she entered the portal, a feeling of dread touched every part of Scathe’s spirit. Where was the sun? Where was she? It seemed she was on a hill, at the crest of a gravesite for as far as she could see. Where was the wizard? No time to consider that, the shadows around her were huge and seemed to move on their own…

(Kal-Kathier)The sound of running water was faint at first, but Kal Kathier was drawn to it. As the sound grew nearer, he needed to step carefully over all these rectangular handcrafted ground stones. Something incomprehensible was scrawled on each stone. Then, over a nearby hill, a momentary flash of light followed immediately by a void of darkness bellowed from the hill. There it is – the source of the running water. A water fountain. To get there Kal Kathir would need to get through this sea of ground stones. Something didn’t feel right. But nearby water. Another flash of light. A humanoid appeared in the flash of light and then another. Confused, Kal Kathir felt the gaze of several nearby eyes on him…

(Kissandi) Malgrim says, “Something is different. Did you see that?” It seems everyone else is squinting. But why? Rabbit & Tilly try to look Kissandi in the eye, look at one another, and slowly return their eyes towards Kissandi. Tilly stutters “G-g-g-good luck lady…we’ve got to find a way out of here and it seems like you are meant to stay.” Malgrim says, “I thought you and I were alike, but now I see your true calling. Perhaps our paths will cross again down the road. I will do my best to lead the halflings back to Lambasa. May you find your true path.” Kissandi rejuvenated and empowered senses…

Action!
Zombies all over the place! Xabier cut through more zombies. Shivon, most interested in the energy and force at the top of the hill, used the distraction Xabier was causing with the zombies to dodge her way up the hill.

A shadow giant emerged and attacked Scathe, who could not seem to find that wizard or her party. Shouldn’t they all have been here, too?

Kal-Kathier, seeing Scathe in danger rushed to help attack the shadow giant, something like from his home. But, Kal-Kathier was stalked by dagorran ambushers, who went invisible before and after they attacked.

Kissandi enjoyed the scene, the undead around her all moving towards her – this is what she was meant to do, extinguish this untrue and unholy version of life. It was time for the zombies to die.

Soon, the undead who attacked the others, were drawn away towards Kissandi. All helped fell the foul beasts. Seeing Kissandi as a powerful ally who is clearly connected to her god, Shivon acts out of character and aids the winged elf several times by making Kissandi insubstantial, teleporting her out of danger, and offering healing. In the end, the hill and surrounding cemetery lie strewn with mangled flesh, long before dead, but finally at rest.

Kal-Kathier made his way to the fountain, drank fully, and filled his water skins.

Shivon demanded answers, but sensed this was another dead end. Still interested in the force she felt decided that Kissandi may be her ticket out of this terrible realm. The rest of these misfits are likely useless except as fodder.

Scathe helped heal those in need and Kissandi knelt to pray.

All but Kissandi realized despite their victory that escape from this place seemed impossible. Those affected were beginning to give in to the Shadowfell and the loss of hope.

Mani testifies under great protest. Apparently he told others about the Silver Hand.

Tekal and Fumaro testify, but clarify that they do not consider Tyzzer a traitor.

Elektra testifies that we hurt her feelings.

Shivon testifies that if Tyzzer is a friend of Nashua and Itzam-ye, he must be loyal.

Skyblade testifies that because Nan ignored his missions from the Silver Hand to warn Tyzzer about the threats of treason, Tyzzer must also be found not loyal.

Moonshadow approaches the bench, but Charzin immediately recognizes her as a rakshassa and confronts her.

Lyrie testifies that Tyzzer talked about joining the WJN.

Bui asked to summon Sarax… a demonstration of his powers.

Sarax brings out the dead, headless body of Nan. All hell breaks loose. Tyzzer has difficulty continuing and is clearly shaken.

Bui testifies.

Charzin testifies.

Javok testifies that because Tyzzer talked to him about the Silver Hand, he is a traitor.

Rowena threatens to kill anyone who finds Tyzzer guilty.

Tyzzer’s gives a speech at Castle Locathah in his defense. By the end of the speech all of his allies stand behind him, moving the audience. The speech:

“I left my family and hometown of Welby eight years ago in search of adventure. For years I worked with Nan at his smithy in Standall, hauling ore, bending steel to the will of my hammer, getting strong. I listened to stories of Nan’s adventuring days, wide-eyed and anxious. Nan finished every one of his tales with wise counsel: A true hero seeks out adventure only in the service of a greater cause. I heard him, but I was too busy dreaming of battling orcs and slaying dragons to truly listen to his advice.

I stand before you now a slayer of orcs and a destroyer of undead. I have negotiated with giants and redeemed angels. I have traveled to the edge of the astral sea and returned to receive the mark of the gold dragon. The greatest bard of our age, the Lambasan Crow, has sung my praises. But none of these compare to my greatest accomplishment because none of this was accomplished alone.

A little over a year ago I signed up to explore Area 23 and learned the ways of the ranger from Quorion. Back to back, Atli and I fended off hoards of orcs under the cover of arrows loosed by Benjin. I dove into a bone-laden depraved cavity of death to fight off the horror of Haverthold with Derezim. In Ashenport I banished the old power of Dagon with Vani and Alphariel. Eventually, I stood with the barbarian Craynor on the battlements of Seegold, looking into the vastness of eternity and made the most difficult decision of my life as I left one of the truest and most loyal friends I have ever had to return to Terkent and finish the quest I started in Area 23.

I posed as a travelling circus performer, trusting in Ja’Elle’s crazy, but effective, plan at the Steading. I directed the zealous sword of Kissandi as we rid Lambasa of the infernal corruption of the Imix cult. After every one of these battles, when my body and soul felt like they could not possibly continue, Bui Collins was there to remind me who I am, and what I was fighting for.

And I cannot forget about the one who was there with me from the beginning in Standhall. So powerful, with seemingly inexhaustible fire in her heart. My closest ally through all of this. Rowena. She was a worthy and trusty steed. I will always cherish the memory of my first horse.

I have saved the lives of each one of these companions, and in turn they have brought me back from the abyss many times.

This is what we are fighting for; this is my greatest accomplishment. Companionship. Loyalty. The freedom to live our lives as we wish. Look at the person next to you. As we continue this crusade he or she might be the one who saves your life — either by putting a sword through the heart of an enemy leaping from the shadows, or by supplying the information that allows you to avoid the enemy’s deadly trap.

There are some who will tell you that to find your true strength, you must look within yourself. I’m here to tell you that you must look outward. Out to the ally next to you in the battle. Out to the family you left to be here. Out to the civilians who have no way of defending themselves. Out to those who have already fallen in the pursuit of freedom! We have been blessed to be strong enough to participate in this fight. It is our responsibility to stand up for every freedom-loving citizen!

Nan told me that a true hero seeks out adventure only in the service of a greater cause. There is no greater cause than to use your gifts to defend those who cannot defend themselves. Personal glory is the first step toward corruption. We do not seek death, but we are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice so that future generations might live in peace. It does not matter if they remember our names; our legacy is freedom."

Sarax finds Tyzzer guilty and sentences him to death, but before this he divides the great hall between the audience and the front of the chamber.

A circle in the middle of the room starts growing into a slippery, transmuted mess.

A big fight breaks out on our side of the force wall.

There is a storm brewing — it ain’t natural.

In the storm is a gargantuan red dragon. It’s Adalaenter.

We head toward where the portal was across the bridge, but it’s not there anymore.

Fharlanghn (the god of travel) shows up and everyone calms down a little bit.

We head back into the castle. Cuz that’s the way the dragon isn’t.

The whole group follows Bui, they assume it was him who calmed them. A couple of the heroes do not make it as the dragon blows up part of the bridge.

We get back into the castle and the threat of the dragon is gone for now. However, it is clear that many forces have converged here somehow — the dragon, the storm, gods. It’s not good.

Shivon is angered by the storm because it is clear to her that Zehir is fighting with Melora. She tries to rally people to march against the temple to Zehir that she saw in a vision and believes is out there, nearby in the storm.

Krombaalt's Reward...a Flying Tower

March 16, 994 6:00 p.m. Party Gold = 462,586 g.p.
Four battles and two milestones since leveling up.

The obelisks explode and the heroes take fire and poison damage. Two gate guardians emerge from the broken obelisks. They are rockfire guardians. The heroes destroy the gate guardians with relative ease.

Then, the heroes went back up and around to face the chimeras. The chimeras took some convincing to bow to Brazzamel. Charzin offered a ring of invisibility in return for them giving their treasures to the red dragon. Rowena bluffed hella good shit. Bui diplomed away. The chimeras were convinced.

As the heroes headed towards the dragon’s lair, they encountered and quickly destroyed some living dragon scales.

After succumbing to Nan’s apparent fears that part of the dragon mission may be left undone, the group entered a cave and destroyed 2 of 3 illithids, gaining 6,000 gp in emeralds.

Skyblade seems to enjoy the carnage. Nan seems to be anxiety ridden.

The heroes slept in Bui’s mobile home (cost 200 gp), before going to see Brazzamel. He has three drow helping keep a watch on the cave.

Brazzamel brags that he will one day be the most feared in the land, like Adalaentar is now. He offers that the heroes bow to him now, too, before they are forced to bow like the halfling Ja’Elle already has been forced to do.

The party turns down the offer, and after considering battling Brazzamel, they depart.

The party teleports back to Standhall (200 gp).

Nan and Tyzzer talk at Nan’s home. Skyblade departs, saying that both she and the party need to report to Sarax for different reasons (she for her pay, the heroes because they have completed the mission).

The heroes summon the storm giant Krombaalt. A storm ensues, and the giant descends to earth on a cloud. He invites the heroes to join him and they ride the cloud up to a distant kingdom in the sky.

After presenting the head of Snurre, they are welcomed to this kingdom and asked to retell their story. After the story, their praises are sung and they are awarded their floating tower. Bui will be owner, but all four heroes are attuned to the tower.

Sealing a Gateway to the Underdark with a Little Help from Our Friend

March 16, 994 3:30 p.m. Party Gold = 455,086 g.p.
Three battles and one milestone since leveling up
Rowena still has a disk of awesome for her use of the portal of surprise magic

A river of flowing lava bisects the room the heroes enter. Two salamanders stand guard on small islands on the lava river. An obsidian bridge that looks to be spider woven crosses the river. Standing shoulder to shoulder on the bridge are two giant death knights (skeletal fire giants). Quickly, Eclavdra enters the fight, appearing on a ledge beyond and above the distant shore of the lava river. She commands her allies to attack the heroes more.

Quickly, the heroes come up with a plan to disrupt Eclavdra. Rowena creates a linked portal and the heroes jump through appearing on the ledge with Eclavdra.

Eclavdra, after taking some significant damage, is able to blink away and gather help from the death knights and salamanders.

Skyblade is pulled into the lava a couple times by the salamanders.

The heroes killed Eclavdra and take her circlet that controls the spider chest.

The heroes defeat both death knights. The salamanders flee.

We check out the doors to the Underdark.

Each obelisk is a prison containing a powerful elemental.

Tyzzer and Nan don’t really want to go to the Underdark.

Nan suggests that we need to make sure that the door is secure so that no more drow come through.

Maybe cause a cave in (not likely).

Fuse doors / reroute lava (maybe).

Tyzzer says, “friend,” and Friend shows up out of the lava. Huh . . . who knew he was still around?

The bread sharing ritual is done.

Friend shows us a way to seal the doors, but it will be risky.

It might fail, and it will likely release the elementals in any case.

We decide to let Friend take the lead in a ritual to seal the doors.

Tyzzer leads through Diplomacy.

Rowena uses Arcane effort to direct elemental energies and redirect the river of lava.

Bui calls on his god to help him prevent passage of dark forces into our world.

Charazin also uses Arcane effort to control elemental energies from the obelisks to the door.

The obelisks explode and we’re about to fight some badass Rock Fire Guardians, but the doors are sealed.

Friend leaves . . . was he even here? Maybe we just needed to believe in ourselves . . . but the crumbs from the bread ritual are at Tyzzer’s feet.

Worshippers of Evil Gods, Beware!

March 16, 994 2:00 p.m. Party Gold = 419,856 g.p.
One battle since leveling up
Rowena still has a disk of awesome for her use of the portal of surprise magic

The group remembers that Brazzemal wants infestations of humanoids that do not bow to him destroyed in exchange for their lives. The party has a change of heart and plans to ignore Brazzemal’s demand for now, meaning not going after the chimeras or whatever is around Brazzemal’s lair.

The group continues up the northeast passage. They walked past some webs into a cave that is a nest of stalagtites interspersed with dark pockets. Seven stalagmites encrusted with sparkling mineral deposits rise from the floor, forming an oval ring. Two female drow stand in the middle of the ring. One wears black chain mail and a helm with eight gems set into it, like spider eyes. She holds a hand crossbow in one hand and has a rapier fastened to her back (Nalice). The other drow wears a black, web-like gown and is unarmed (Jiryzne). Jiryzne smiles at you and says, “You have come a long way to die.”

The group moved in to fight. 8 drow skulkers rappel down spidersilk ropes and charge in to attack the party.

Bui rocked the rappelling minion drow, destroying six of them immediately.

We defeat the remaining drow. Jiryzne was a yochlol demon, apparently spying on Eclavdra’s crew. We find that out by seeing her body change after she is killed and the information we glean from the remaining drow skulker we capture. He says he is from Erelhei-Cinlu (Eclavdra’s team – the Elder Elemental Eye group).

We gain the gem studded helmet that Nalice wore.

The drow prisoner says there is a river of lava to the west guarded by giant undead skeletons and fire salamanders.

We go to the drow barracks and there is a human wizard there.

He speaks of the eye biter.

Fonkin Hoddypeap had spoken of Gleep Wurp the Eyebiter who had betrayed the party and turned them over to the drow. The party saved Fonkin and had him take Princess Moonshadow back to safety.

March 16, 994 8:00 a.m. Party Gold = 419,856 g.p.
The group just leveled up
Reunited: Tyzzer Zaneen and Nan Hornburg
The plan to descend to level 3 and take on any drow and all evil that lurks there (excepting Brazzemal). The first plan is to destroy the emanating sense of undeath that Bui sensed below the temple of the Elder Elemental Eye.

As the group discusses plans and talks with Nan, Charzin and Rowena hear and sense the tentacle wall moving and then notice shadows flickering as something has entered the curtained room. Rowena announces there is an intruder and casts light to brighten the room.

Out steps a blue skinned, transparent white-haired medium female humanoid. The group questions her and senses tension between her and Nan.

Nan seems to know her, or of her. She says her name is Skyblade and that she was sent by the Silver Hand. Nan says she is a known spy. She says she is an assassin.

She claims to have been sent to ensure the victory over the giants and the dark force behind them.

The group has developed more trust in Nan, despite Skyblade’s questioning of his reasons for joining. Nan suggests that either option comes with its benefits and its drawbacks. Accepting Skyblade is a risk worth taking, as long as they keep an eye on her. He believes it would not be good to turn down help sent by Sarax (via Carnavon, as stated by Skyblade). The risk is if she assassinated a member of the Silver Hand and now is tracking one or more of the party.

Her story of entry into the Fire Giant Hall seemed right, but the group didn’t trust her.

She stated that pay is her motivation, not some greater ideal. She made light of Bui and Tyzzer’s greater ideals and, after being told about Thalra, asked how well those ideals stood up in the group saving Thalra from her drow compatriots?

Skyblade questioned Charzin’s entry into the group, too.

The group’s options seemed limited. She joined and the group descended towards the cold feeling of undeath.

Exploring the tunnels to the south, with Tyzzer’s axe the source of light in an otherwise pitch black part of the mountain, two troll wraiths floated near a large pit in a cavern filled with stalagtites and natural posts. A battle broke out. There were five troll wraiths and one more huge troll wraith who ascended from the large pit.

The battle lasted and lasted as the trolls regenerated and took partial damage because they were incorporeal.

Bui momentarily rebuked violence, making it so the enemy could not attack for some time.

The heroes found out that if they hit the troll wraiths with fire, it momentarily shut down their regeneration. When the heroes hit with radiant energy the troll wraiths became temporarily corporeal.

The troll wraiths only dealt necrotic damage. Rowena gave the heroes resistance to this type of damage.

Towards the end of the fight, Rowena put a fire defense on herself and threw herself into the whisps that were left when trolls were defeated, before they could reform and reanimate.

The trolls were defeated. All of the heroes and the two new allies aided in the fight.

Bui sensed that the bones in this area were still not at rest. To ensure they did not reanimate, the group took time to burn all of the bones to ash. Bui felt the souls released and the air cleared.

The group explored the nearby tunnels.

The group took a short rest.

The group realizes that just to their west is where the dragon resides, a little south and west is where the lava pit is below the bridge the group crossed above. Further west is the home of the chimeras. There may be some other areas near there, but the group is not interested in any of these parts now.

Based on what Keak, and to a lesser extent Obmi, told them, they need to go north and then possibly later northwest to get to the stronghold of the drow, the place the heroes seek to defeat that darker force behind the giant raids, likely led by Eclavdra, the one who escaped the group in the Temple of the Elder Elemental Eye.

Instead, the group took the northeast passage and will uncover what is there next time.

Next time:
The group goes into the northeast passage…

March 16, 994 2:00 p.m. Party Gold = 419,856 g.p.
One battle since leveling up
Rowena still has a disk of awesome for her use of the portal of surprise magic

The Fiery Rain of Terror Extinguished?

March 15, 994 4:15 p.m. Party Gold = 416,615 g.p.
The group has Chest #5 unopened, the head of Frupy, the fire giant forge priest head, and a piece of the volcanic iron golem ready to deliver to Brazzemal. Clever & hand from Royal Headmaster and part of the Torturer. They still need Snurre’s sub commanders.
After 6 battles (past 3 milestones) – very close to leveling up
Rowena holds Thalra’s staff

START:
With renewed energy from their gods, the heroes planned their next move. Thinking about seeking out Obmi, the group remembered the wall of tentacles. Rowena grabbed a tentacle rod from one of the drow under priests they defeated and headed towards the wall of tentacles with Charzin following right behind.

Rowena thought to use the tentacle rod but thought the last time the wall of tentacles was touched it triggered the wall to writhe to life. When the rod came near the wall, the wall moved a little. Charzin grabbed the tentacle rod from Rowena and jammed it in there. The wall opened to a dimly lit room.

The party entered and with their strong perceptive skills, noticed shadowy figures trying to hide on the ceiling, two driders. Rowena and Bui were quickly webbed within reach of the wall of tentacles, now that had come to life. Tyzzer spotted a descending staircase. The driders blinked in and out and were able to get a couple of good cuts in, but nothing that really hurt the heroes. The wall tried to grab Rowena and Bui, but both were able to avoid it. Charzin, aided by the other heroes, drew the driders in and quickly destroyed them. Nothing of value was found in the room.

Charzin and Bui were interested in where the stairs led. 75 feet down the stairs, it opened up into rough hewn passages. A dim light that smelled of sulfur came from the north. Bui sensed an unwholesome presence nearby. He felt it was undead connected to the power from the Elder Elemental Eye in the temple above. The group retreated back up the stairs and readied themselves to go to the supposed fire giant barracks.

As the heroes entered the hall on the temple side of the bridge, they saw 3 fire giants, a large firebred hell hound alpha, and Obmi Ironwhisper. Obmi had a chain wrapped around Keak’s neck.

Tyzzer and Aarth, the fire giant hound master, mocked and threatened one another, trying to draw the other into a battle.

The group quickly planned a surprise attack. It worked like this:
Rowena began to incant her spell as the group moved quickly forward together across the bridge. A portal appeared, the heroes jumped in and appeared right behind their unsuspecting enemies. Bui rebuked violence and shut down the enemies attacks. Before he could act, Aarth the fire giant hound master was dropped. His firebred hell hound alpha, Nvilka, masterless now, dropped his tail between his legs and fled. Obmi, became insubstantial and phased through the wall to escape. He then went invisible and got away. The fire giant knights put up a short fight. Keak was saved, again.

The group intreated with Keak, learning that he had been on an expedition with elves as a scout into the Underdark. After a cave collapse, he had been separated from the group. Soon later, he was captured by drow and brought here with them. Keak new of more drow that served Eclavdra and that they sought the power of the Elder Elemental Eye, thought to be found in the temple here. They also sought to use the giants to raid the lands above ground. This group of drow were said to no longer be welcome in their old society, those who worshipped Lolth. Keak said two fire giant death knights loyal to Snurre guard the passage to Erelhei-Cinlu in the Underdark. The group believed Keak would not double cross them, but they didn’t fully trust him, either.

The group searched the now empty barracks and found 2500 gp, 25 pp (250 gp), and gem inlaid manacles emblazoned with the symbol of Torog (worth 1500 gp).

Rowena used her ritual of magic map (325 gp) to find Obmi. He had gone to the throne room of the first level. The group went and found him.

After a short discussion and an attempt to get info from him, Tyzzer and Charzin charged Obmi. Bloodied, Obmi tried to escape again, turning invisible. As he reached the front gate, it opened and he ran into Nan Hornburg. At Tyzzer’s direction, Nan walloped Obmi with his hammer, knocking him unconscious.

Tyzzer healed Obmi.

Tyzzer and Nan hugged.

Charzin took Obmi’s ring of invisibility.

Nan was asked why he was here. He said it was just the right time? He was asked what happening with the giants and with Adalaentar. Nan said tribute was paid by the king to the dragon and that the Goodwell was taking credit for the decrease in giant raids, despite the fact that it was the Silver Hand’s work, led by the heroes.

Tyzzer was elated to see Nan, and to finally have an opportunity that he never dreamed possible, the chance to fight beside him to make things right in the world. Bui and Charzin had a different sense about Nan’s reasons for showing up. Rowena was simply in tune with herself, being the first to sense her heightened power.

The group leveled up.

Keak, threatened with what would happen if he didn’t fulfill his duty, was sent with Obmi to return Obmi to the dwarven clan holds and told that he could keep the reward given from them. Keak seemed excited to leave and that he would be dutiful in this task. Keak was also given Obmi’s +4 dagger. Bui gave Keak a phantom steed (ritual 144 gp) and used find the path (ritual 70 gp) sent them off. (We’re going to say that the body of Dram Blighthammer was sent off with Keak to be given a proper burial, as well.)

Charzin questioned Tyzzer about Area 24 and the hardbacks. Tyzzer didn’t realize that Charzin knew about the hardbacks.

The group, with all of the dragon tasks accomplished, and now feeling as ready as they could be to face Brazzemal, climbed the mountain and yelled down into the chimney that led to Brazzemal’s lair. The red dragon said to drop his demands down the chimney. The heads and trinkets from all of the kills were dropped.

Brazzemal emerged from the chimney and confronted the heroes. The group opened chest number five, at the dragon’s demand, and found the head of Snurre covered in gold pieces. The heroes were amazed at the powerful magic of the dragon, took the head, and gave Brazzemal the chest of gold.

After a few tense moments when Brazzemal alerted the heroes that he knew they had killed his young (to take their home base cave), the heroes convinced him not to destroy them and that they had fulfilled their end of the tenuous new alliance. Brazzemal returned into the mountain and the group breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Next time:

Reunited: Tyzzer Zaneen and Nan Hornburg

The plan to descend to level 3 and take on any drow and all evil that lurks there (excepting Brazzemal).

March 16, 994 8:00 a.m. Party Gold = 419,856 g.p.
The group just leveled up

Rowena earned a disk of awesome for her use of the portal of surprise magic

The Temple of the Elder Elemental Eye

March 15, 994 4:00 p.m. Party Gold = 359,115 g.p.
The group has Chest #5 unopened, the head of Frupy, the fire giant forge priest head, and a piece of the volcanic iron golem ready to deliver to Brazzemal. Clever & hand from Royal Headmaster and part of the Torturer. They still need Snurre’s sub commanders.
After 4 (4.5) battles (past 2 milestones)
Rowena holds Thalra’s staff

PREVIEW/RECAP:
Dram Blighthammer, saved from the prison, joined the heroes in hopes of destroying fire giants, azers, and mostly Obmi Ironwhisper (dwarf traitor). A handful of enemies have escaped the heroes including Snurre and a drow from the great hall, Obmi (dwarf traitor), Virchilin (drow interrogator) and a group of rakshasas. Thalra Yauntyrr, a drow, but not an enemy, was disarmed but left the party when the group entered the prison.

The dragon Brazzemal convinced the heroes that he had killed Snurre. The heroes have collected near everything they promised the dragon in exchange for Snurre’s head. They just need to find and defeat any additional sub commanders.

After a daunting battle with flame skulls and bat swarms on a bridge above lava, the heroes barely made it safely across the bridge over the lava pit, the opposite side as Keak. Keak, is a gnome the heroes saved, but he tumbled to safety towards the other side of the bridge.

The heroes push forward in hopes of finding the rumored temple, possibly of Imix.

START:
As the heroes hustled away from the bridge, Tyzzer called out for Keak with no response. Charzin, Bui, and Rowena noticed a section of the hallway wall was illusory.

On the opposite side of the illusory wall was a wall of that resembled a tangled nest of shiny black tentacles that looked, more like supple flesh than hard stone. Rowena touched the wall and it began to write. Charzin tried to push his way into/through it unsuccessfully. A short fight between the group and the wall broke out. A screem was heard coming from beyond the illusory wall, from in the temple. Rowena figured out that there may be some special key, implement, or command word that is needed to pass through the wall unmolested. Quickly, the party freed themselves from its grips and entered past the illusory wall and up the stairs.

At the top of the stairs, a scene like nothing of this world greeted the heroes eyes…

Beyond the illusory wall, a wide staircase leads up to a balcony overlooking a strange temple. The balcony railing is sculpted from purple stone, carved to resemble entrained tentacles. The twisted black pillars that support the balcony and the ceiling overhead appear to have screaming faces reflected in them. Torches along the temple’s purple walls burn with a multicolored flame but leave the balcony in shadow. In that dim light, you can see a black stone pedestal rising from the balcony floor, a purple orb nestled on top of it.

At the far end of the temple, three steps rise to form a wide, semicircular dais. On the lowest tier sits a large blackened drum and a wooden rack festooned with silver chimes. On the middle tier, an altar block of dark gray stone is flanked by two bronze braziers and six candelabra wet with black cables. Hanging from the ceiling above the topmost tier is a small black metal triangle and a matching metal cylinder. Set into the cloudy purple wall behind the dais is a twenty-foot-tall inlay of amber-like stone – an inverted equilateral triangle inscribed with a “Y” that touches the triangle’s three sides.

At the dais, two female drow wearing purple and black ceremonial robes have lit the black candles while one fire giant clad in chain mail stands on guard nearby. On the altar lays a clearly dead Thalra Yauntyrr. Cutting into her with his ceremonial dagger is Virchilin, the drow hypnotist that the group saw coming out of Moonshadow’s cell before they rescued her. Standing next to Virchilin is a dark, beautiful woman who drinks from a black vial whose liquid pours down her throat and over her face and she speaks in an undistinguishable language, leading the ceremony.

The heroes watched what appeared to be the end of this evil ritual play out as they whispered their plans to one another, hoping to maintain the element of surprise.

The altar, clearly made from stone from another word seemed alive. All of the heroes got a terrible sense of foreboding about it as they even got closer on the balcony. The altar is the centerpiece of a religious ritual that required the lighting of black candles, the beating of a drum, the ringing of chimes, and the striking of the iron triangle, all of which the drow under priests did. Bui understood that touching the altar is the first step in calling the power of the Elder Elemental Eye, which might grant a boon, but the altar is anathema to the gods, so that touching it with a holy symbol might damage it. Doing so is likely to destroy the utilized holy symbol, reducing it to residuum.

ACTION!!!
Bui handed Charzin his old +3 holy symbol. Charzin moved quickly and leaped off the balcony, teleported to the altar, touched it with the holy symbol. Immediately the altar shook and a crack became visible – it clearly was damaged. The holy symbol fell apart, turning to residuum that dropped onto the floor in front of the altar, Bui called up his god to recall Charzin back up to the balcony and the battle was on…

Dram took a running start and used his war hammer to smack the orb. The orb did not break or even fly away. Instead, 24 small golden glyphs appeared on its surface. It appeared very strange to Dram.

During the early stages of the battle, Rowena inspected the magic glyphs on the orb and figured it to be a teleportation orb. With a minute or so of concentration later after the battle, Rowena is convinced she could activate it.

The fire giant climbed onto the balcony only to be knocked off multiple times by Tyzzer and Rowena.

Meanwhile, Bui made his way towards the altar and enemy leaders to take away the attacks of three key enemies for a short period of time during the battle. He also sacrificed his +5 holy symbol to do more damage to the unholy altar.

Early in the fight Tyzzer was shot by Virchillin with a poisoned bolt. Tyzzer was unable to resist the poison and fell into a deep sleep. Bui was unable to wake Tyzzer. Dram was unable to arouse Tyzzer.

Most of the battle continued on the main level of the temple.

Another drow, Taz’zt, appeared from behind a pillar and tried to use his sneak attack several times, but was not very effective.

Between Charzin controlling and defending the battlefield, dashing back and forth, teleporting, and keeping the enemy within reach, Bui using his glorious presence, the battle standard of the Silver Eagle, and his healing, and Rowena’s attacks on the altar and some attacks on the drow, the heroes held their own.

For moments, things looked bleak, but then it turned around fast. When Charzin was dominated by the altar, the altar sprouted two massive tentacles out of the eye. These were used to pull in Charzin, and occasionally Rowena, too. Each time, the heroes were able to escape.

Rowena, near the end of the encounter, came within moments of her death and annihilation, but Charzin was able to cut her free. This attack struck the final blow, sending the tentacles back into the altar and ending the power of the Elder Elemental Eye, at least for now in this temple.

When the altar stopped, the drow under priests looked at what can presumably be Eclavdra, their leader, and then followed her lead in fighting on.

Eclavdra did battle with Dram on the balcony, killing him while Tyzzer had an unnatural sleep.

Meanwhile, Rowena, Bui, and Charzin continued the fight against a very noteworthy opponent in the remaining drow. The under priests and Eclavdra used their tentacle rods to harm the heroes. Eclavdra’s entrancing beauty was hard to resist, but her insidious offer “Serve me and I’ll spare you” which turned into, “Serve me and be our next sacrifice,” was never accepted by Charzin. The drow poison was quite problematic, but nobody other than Tyzzer felt its full effects. In the end, Virchillin, Taz’zt, the two drow under priests, and the fire giant guard were all destroyed.

Eventually Tyzzer awoke. He sunk his axe into the drow leader. Then, Eclavdra used the teleportation orb to depart.

The heroes were left bruised and beaten, but alive. Noteworthy when you are in the temple of an evil god that seemed to have a strong desire to have you as a sacrifice. The gods the heroes worshipped must have other things planned and a collective will to keep them strong.

RECAP:
The battle left Dram Blighthammer dead. Thalra Yauntyrr also lies dead in front of the Altar of the Eye, a sacrifice of her own drow brethren to the Elder Elemental Eye. The party discussed whether or not to return the body of Dram to his clan and to tell them the tale of Dram’s heroism in confronting a powerful evil that set the giant raids in motion against Terkent.

The heroes defeated the Altar of the Eye, several drow and made their female leader flee. This leader is likely Eclavdra, the woman of the same name on the note to King Snurre.

The heroes used most of their resources to defeat their enemies. Charzin (25 hp left, 0 surges left) and Bui (17 hp left, 0 surges left, 0 holy symbols left) are bloodied and without the reserves of regaining any of their health. Tyzzer is not quite bloodied and has one last burst of energy left in him to heal up his wounds 66/124 hp with 1 surge left). Rowena was near bloodied (43 hp, 0 surges left), too.

Bloodied and battered, the characters accomplished a key part of the mission and have been blessed by their gods. This has restored some of their health…

For sacrificing both holy symbols to save the party from the Altar of the Elder Elemental Eye and by acting as the legs of his god in bringing his fellows protection and luck, Fharlanghn has restored half (round down) of Bui’s healing surges.

For her major role in destroying the drow who were harnessing the power of the Elder Elemental Eye, Corellon whose goal is to thwart the drow (and who banished Lolth to the Abyss), has restored half (round down) of Rowena’s healing surges.

For a valiant attempt to control the battlefield including shoving a fire giant off the balcony, and overcoming the drow sleep poison, Pelor – he who is against all that is evil (that would include drow and an evil alien altar), whose voice Tyzzer may have heard while asleep, has granted Tyzzer a third (round down) of his healing surges.

For his ability to control the battlefield, keeping the enemy off his allies and from escaping, Charzin’s has recovered a third (round down) of his healing surges.

In addition to those granted by the respective gods, for coming up with and executing the plan to teleport and recall Charzin after using the holy symbol on the altar, both Bui & Charzin each gain a disk of awesome.

The heroes reached a milestone – all heroes receive an action point.

The dark force behind the giant raids has been found and confronted. Can it be defeated? The heroes will find out.

The heroes are within an eyelash of completing Brazzemal’s demands in hopes of trading for the head of Snurre. It seems like little stands between them and Obmi, perhaps only what lies in the barracks. And now the dark force that is behind it all has been uncovered. With the completion of any of these quests, the heroes know they will have obtain more powers (level up). We’ll find out if they have enough resources to do it next time…

March 15, 994 4:15 p.m. Party Gold = 416,615 g.p.
The group has Chest #5 unopened, the head of Frupy, the fire giant forge priest head, and a piece of the volcanic iron golem ready to deliver to Brazzemal. Clever & hand from Royal Headmaster and part of the Torturer. They still need Snurre’s sub commanders.
After 6 battles (past 3 milestones) – very close to leveling up
Rowena holds Thalra’s staff

Into the Prison Ward

• We walk brazenly into the prison ward and take on the azer guards.
o Azers in the control room shut the sliding doors to the hallway and drop the portcullis to their little room.
o Thalra is left locked out. She leaves and is not found by the party later.
o A couple unique fire giants come in and join the fight, a torturer and a headsman.
o We take down the bad guys pretty quickly.
• Rescue the prisoners.
o One of the elves is Fonkin Hoddypeak and is not a part of Moonshadow’s group.
• He offers to join us.
• Gleep Worp is a human traitor from Fonkin’s party who is now working with the fire giants.
• Virchilin is a drow who works with the fire giants.
o Boldo the fire giant offers to help us, but we’re not so sure.
o Talking to Moonshadow.
• She is an annoying bitch who wants to lead us.
• Virchilin was the consort of Eclavdra
• Eclavdra is gaining information and giving it to the giants.
• We need to kill all the drow; they are in charge.
• Bui is very diplomatic and convinces Moonshadow to do what we say.
• Tyzzer talks to the bodyguards and they want to take Moonshadow back to her people.
• Charazin frees Dram Blighthammer who wants to kill all fire giants and Obmi. So Charazin takes him over to Boldo and Dram starts beating the hell out of the chained up fire giant. None of the other PCs know this happened.
• Dram promises us that his father will reward us when this is done.
• Dram’s father is Zolco Blighthammer, a wealthy merchant.
• Dram seems to REALLY happy that his hammer has blood on it now.
o We take a lot of jewelry from the torture room.
• 6000 gp of jewelry
• 10,000 gp of gems
• 5000 gp of dragon statues.
• Two Potions of vitality
• 2500 gp of a ship in a bottle
o We loot the fire priest’s room
• A gem to be used to create +5 magic weapon.
• This amazing statuette of Imix worth 15,000 gp.
• 4,000 gp
o We fulfill the Moonshadow quest. Woo. Hoo.
• 2500gp for rescuing her.
• We head over the bridge to the temple (we don’t know who the temple is to, but we assume it’s a temple to Imix)
o On the way we see Keak, a gnome, in a cage suspended over the chasm.
o Bui teleports him to the bridge.
o Bats and flameskulls come flying up to the bridge. FIGHT!
• We are pulled off the bridge several times by the pesky flameskulls.
• Eventually, we take out the bats and leave the bridge and head to the temple.
• Keak escaped to the other side of the bridge and left the group.

March 15, 994 4:00 p.m. Party Gold = 359,115 g.p.
The group has Chest #5 unopened, the head of Frupy, the fire giant forge priest head, parts of the fire giant torturer and headsman, and a piece of the volcanic iron golem ready to deliver to Brazzemal. They still may need Snurre’s sub commanders.
Leveled Up (full strength)- after 4+ battles (past 2 milestones)
Rowena holds Thalra’s staff (Thalra is gone)

The Forgemaster is Taken Down, and a Princess turns out to be a Demonic Pussy

It is March 15, 994 at 8:00 a.m.
Party Gold = 314,335 g.p.
The party has fought one battle since their extended rest.

The night begins with the heroes making plans for how to take down the forgemaster and rescue any prisoners held by the fire giants. This planning is done quickly and in a very organized fashion as it always is.

During this planning, Rowena’s wards start screaming that the door to the giants’ room has been opened. With a clear path now, the heroes quickly set up an ambush in the barracks.

For the fist time ever, the ambush works! We don’t bother to even get the hill giant leader’s name as Charazin, Ja’Elle, and Tyzzer take him down during the surprise round.

The other hill giants look around nervously, but the stone giants behind them won’t allow them to bug out.

The heroes finish off the giants fairly easily.

Throughout the battle, Tyzzer continues to yell out to Obmi the F*in Traitor. It soon becomes clear that Obmi was merely using the giants as fodder so he could escape. The heroes assume Obmi is going to warn the rest of the giants. He’ll get what’s coming to him.

Also during the battle, the elven princess’s guards prove themselves to be mighty weak and unwilling to fight much. More on these pussies later.

The drow looks on with disinterested disdain. We’re not sure how long she’ll be willing to travel with us.

After the first fight, the heroes decide to take a short rest even though Tyzzer and Rowena are still high on adrenaline and stoneskin.

Ja’Elle and Tyzzer investigate a secret tunnel that leads to a vast cavern with several chimeras. * Ja’Elle and Tyzzer politely decline an encounter and run away.

The heroes return to the original plan, but suck at sneaking up on the forgemaster, so he’s ready for us when we get there; although, it doesn’t seem like Obmi was the one to warn him. Hmm. An epic fight ensues.

The forgemaster manipulates the battlefield. The azers use walls of fire. But, the heroes aren’t really that bothered by them, charging confidently through the ash and flame.

The elven archers, whom we had left to defend our rear flank, reveal themselves to be rakshasas. Seriously, Scott, WTF?! The heroes have now been duped twice. We’re just gonna kill EVERYONE from now on just to be sure.

The party is now split, but in a tactical way. Bui takes control of one half of the fight, and Charazin surprises everyone with his bravery and skill in the other half. Ja’Elle bounces around and pokes bad guys with his dagger and calls them mean names which is how I assume charisma relates to fighting. Tyzzer plays the roll of defender, trying to keep the giants away from the casters, but when this strategy fails, Rowena shows once again that she can handle herself even in a close-quarters fight.

The bad guys fall, and the heroes are poised to rescue the real prisoners.

It is March 15, 994 at 9:00 a.m.
Party Gold = 314,665 g.p.
The party has fought three battles (including 1 milestone) since their extended rest.
Rowena hold Thalra’s staff
The party still seeks Snurre’s sub-commanders heads for Barzemal, the red dragon.

A Dark Elf, an Elven Princess, and a Missing Dwarf

March 15, 994 at 4:30 a.m.

The heroes had a long talk with Javok and Thalra about what to do.

The group decided to keep Thalra close and not to let her leave to find her drow brethren. Javok was sent on a phantom steed from Bui to find Nan and deliver all of the information they had gained about the Hall of King Snurre and everything that happened to date. He left.

The group descended to level two. During the descent a maniacal cackle was clear above the constant din of steel on steel.

Ja’Elle scouted stealthily and found a pair of two-headed fire giants with smoldering morningstarts along with a gangly creature with warty green skin, its face set with a single unblinking eye (nothic). The nothic was constantly cackling.

Ja’Elle went a few steps north and approached what appeared to be the forge and the entrance to a prison area on opposite sides of the hall. It appeared four azer guards were just inside the entrance to the prison area. Something was clearly banging steel in the forge. Ja’Elle could not safely get close enough to gain more information there.

To the south and then east, Ja’Elle found a large mountain yak attached to a cart and three sets of double doors. The double doors to the east seems like it would lead to the room filled with hill and stone giants that Ja’Elle could only slightly remember, as the last time he entered through a secret door before quickly being pelted and knocked unconscious by their rocks. There was a closed double door to the north and an open double door to the south. Ja’Elle snuck up and noticed a well dressed female elf and three bruised male elves, their clothes in tatters.

He alerted the party. The group decided to attack the nothic and the fire giant ettins. About half a minute into the battle with them, a sound coming from the south hall could be heard. Tyzzer directed Ja’Elle to swap positions in the initiative order with him, allowing Ja’Elle to check it out. It was four frost giants.

Meanwhile, Rowena turned three of the frost giants into miniature puggles. The puggles ran away and eventually returned as frost giants. This bought the others time to weaken and destroy the remaining ettins and the fourth frost giant.

Charzin locked down the fire giant ettins pretty well. The nothic was destroyed before it could mess up the heroes minds. The ettins took some effort to dispatch, but with Bui’s ability to weaken them, it was only a matter of time.

When only two frost giants remained, Thalra offered to help intimidate them into submission. Tyzzer aided Thalra and were convincing them as Ja’Elle sprung up and over one of them to deal a killing blow. The remaining frost giant dropped his axe, knelt before Tyzzer, and gave up.

The heroes, through Thalra’s translation gained information that Obmi was the same dwarf as the one they described, and that he was an advisor to Snurre. The giant was eventually allowed to go to return to the glacial rift. He left.

Meanwhile, Ja’Elle found a hidden stairway to level 3 behind a curtain in the ettins’ room. He also looted an unlocked chest and gained 2000 gp.

Next the heroes went to the elves. After meeting them and discovering the female to be the princess Moonshadow, the group discussed why she was here. She said Snurre let her live and was taunting them by allowing them to keep their weapons. She said they knew not to try an escape because it would only make things worse for them. She said her people would pay a big ransom for her safe return. She said there were more prisoners in the prison and asked the heroes to save them, too. The heroes trusted her (insight checks) and want to save the prisoners.

The heroes discussed various plans about how to block the door to the hill giants and stone giants, how to use the yak and the cart, etc. Rowena placed 5 magic eyes to watch the door and scream the alarm, “They’ve escaped, defend the throne room!” if the giants open the door.

Thalra was disarmed and kept with the group. The group said we will not kill you, but we cannot trust you because your people are allied with our enemy, the fire giants (Tyzzer’s words paraphrased).

The heroes searched through the frost giant room and found a sack with 500 gp and an ivory and malachite horn (1500 gp).

The heroes plan to go to the forge and the prison next to free the prisoners and defeat the blacksmith. They are also still looking for Obmi.

Obmi Found and Lost, Uncovering a Dark Alliance, and Saving Trapped Souls

March 14, 994 11:30 p.m.
Party Gold = 222,750 g.p.

The group introduced themselves to the dwarf, who described himself as Prince Malak Thunderhelm. Tyzzer and the others felt so comfortable with him that they told him of all of their victories over the giants and said his escape was safe. The heroes noticed that he looked able to hold his own in a battle, but maybe not as powerful as the party. He convinced the party that he wanted to remain safe and not be seen by his torturers. The party let him go.

Soon later, after letting Ja’Elle nose around through a supply room and after inspecting the room he emerged from and finding a nice bed along with a locked and trapped chest that Ja’Elle triggered, the heroes decided that the dwarf must have fooled them and he must be Obmi Ironwhisper, the dwarf traitor they were sent to find and return to the dwarven clan holds. They quickly, but unsuccessfully tried to track him thinking at first he may have bolted from the fire giant hall altogether. It seems he did not.

The group found a room with a great battle plan room with giant seats and another for a dwarf. There was a map layout of 100 miles by 100 miles that had plotted areas that had been attacked by the giants along with likely future attack locations.

Rowena, with the help of Charzin and Ja’Elle was able to use a magical mapping ritual, but the mystery dwarf did not appear on it. The group searched through various scrolls and parchments and found a note from Eclavdra to Snurre. It read:

“Your Highness, King Snurre of the Fire Giants:

I request an audience with Your Majesty on a matter of great importance. A glorious opportunity awaits us. I have been granted permission by my superiors to offer you tribute for a few precious moments of your time. It has been years since representatives of our two peoples last spoke and shared a flagon of hot wine. On this particular occasion, Erelhei-Cinlu brings you a new promise of victory over your hated enemies.

If you will hear my words, please convey your interest with all haste. I look forward to hearing from you and visiting your great hall.

Eclavdra of House Eilservs"

The group decided to not rush to find the dwarf, but instead to go slowly and smartly forward. Next the headed back towards the treasure room that housed the volcanic iron golem. On the way they searched for a secret door at the end of a long passage to nowhere. Charzin opened the door, which entered into Frupy, the fire giant queen’s, room.

Frupy activated her soul trapping mirror to draw Tyzzer out of the fight. Rowena clouded the area in front of the mirror, frustrating Frupy and stopping her ability to trap more souls. Rowena also dispersed many of the azers quickly. Charzin, Bui, and Ja’Elle did battle with the nasty dire weasels and the defending fire giant knights. It took some teamwork, but the party was able to break through the queen’s defenses and destroy her.

Tyzzer sensed another soul had been trapped within the mirror, so after being freed by Rowena, and after Charzin confirmed that destroying the mirror would free the other soul(s), the group crushed the mirror and out popped two, Javok and a female crow named Thalra Yauntyrr.

The group questioned Javok. He said he was scouting for Nan Hornberg, to send information that would be helpful for the heroes, but was captured and put into this mirror.

Thalra Yauntyrr provided lots of interesting information that could prove useful in future encounters with drow and possibly others.

According to Ja’Elle, Thalra told the heroes the drow had:

Rejected Lolth

Driven out of home city

Thalra wants to:

Given away as tribute by “friends”

Wants to find friends

Wants to harness power of elder elemental eye against Lolth followers

According to Bui – put another way, the enemy of our enemy is our friend. She wants to harness the power that is currently being used by giants to kill innocent surface dwellers in order to wage war against Lolth’s followers. We are pretty okay with that trade, though we should be aware this is not without its risks. Will we have to go back to afga…the underdark… to deal with the nice drow not using the weapon we game them how we see fit?

The group agreed to let Thalra go and Javok stayed on with the heroes (the heroes later changed their minds about both). The group gained treasure.

Next, the group headed for a rematch against the volcanic iron golem. With Bui’s ability to shut down the golems attack for a few rounds and Ja’Elle knocking it out for a round, the heroes destroyed the golem.

After unlocking and opening four of the five treasure chests, the group was much richer and had various magic items to distribute. Rowena took a LVL 22 +5 Blackflock Robe and a LVL 21 Ring of Resourceful Wizardry. Bui took a +5 resounding mace and a LVL 18 Bag of Tricks Rust. Charzin took LVL 20 +4 Deathcut Leather Armor. Lots of wondrous and valuable items were found.

Along the way, 3 potions of vitality were found and distributed amongst the group.

After these experiences, having learned more about themselves the heroes found more powers they possessed (as they leveled up to LVL 19).

The heroes plans to go one level down, probably not into the den of giants, but instead to follow the descending passageway likely taken by the dwarf they seek to reacquaint themselves with next time.

March 15, 994 4:30 a.m.
Party Gold = 310,850 g.p.+ 3 vitality potions
The group has Chest #5 unopened, the head of Frupy, and a piece of the volcanic iron golem ready to deliver to Brazzemal. They still need the fire giant forge priest and Snurre’s sub commanders.

Almost an Angel

Kissandi Saga Part 7

Recently, the group had found their way into the Shadowfell, trying to find a way to destroy the rift that had opened into Lambasa, the capital city. After an arduous path, the group found themselves at what seemed the heart of the maze.

March 2, 994 @ 3:00 pm

Completing the challenge, Kobhein, Drake, and Rabbit shut down some of the active powers on the altar, in the crystal balls, and in the cultist.

After reviving Kissandi and Tilly, the group discusses the difficult choice that lies before them. The realization that if they see out their mission to shut down the rift, they will not be able to leave the Shadowfell the way they came in, but if they leave now the rift will remain open.

As they are talking, they notice the presence of another humanoid hiding in the room. He is called out and met. His name is Malgrim and he is an experience human rogue. He seems only interested in helping Kissandi and seems to think Kissandi will help him someday in the future. The group does not appear to understand him, but he has gained enough trust to join in the mission.

The scholars continue to be argumentative and want no part of staying in the Shadowfell and insist on someone helping them return to Lambasa. Rabbit sees this as a chance to help save Tilly who has clearly been affected by entering the Shadowfell. Ven “Drake” Roberts also says he must leave, and wishes Kissandi and Kobhein well. They all depart.

Kissandi, Kobhein, and Malgrim continue on. They begin more work on the altar area. Kissandi is drawn to face the demon that possessed the shadar-kai and heads through the arcane archway. Kobhein and Malgrim follow.

The gray haze settles throughout this space. A slight wind blows through. Nobody can see beyond 10 feet away. Malgrim’s attempt to break a sunrod is not effective.

Therapin, the suicide demon’s voice can be heard echoing in the space. A clouded battle is fought in what seems to be an MC Escher painting.

The suicide demon demoralizes the group, at one time making Kissandi cut herself, at others suggesting the heroes give up and to release themselves to her control. This sometimes stops the heroes, but only for moments as Kissandi, Malgrim, and Kobhein continue on in the battle.

Therapin says, “there is no way to escape the Shadowfell if you close the gate and there is no way to call Fyria back here! She has been loosed upon your world, you gnats!”

Partway through the battle, Kissandi is confused about whether is was Therapin’s face or the Raven Queen’s face she saw in a vision and carved into her thigh. The feeling of unease eventually lifts with Kissandi reassured in her faith.

When Therapin is bloodied, she starts to spawn demonic manifestations that repeatedly do flyby attacks and annoy the heroes.

Barely surviving, the heroes defeat Therapin. Kissandi destroys four of the remaining six manifestations before being knocked unconscious. With little health left, Malgrim is able to destroy the remaining essence of the suicide demon. Unfortunately, Kobhein did not make it.

Reviving his comrades, Malgrim and Kissandi realize they need to recuperate before continuing on. They are inspired by their heroic victory, but demoralized that their battle with Therapin was not needed to shut down the rift or to find Fyria.

Rabbit and Tilly arrive back in the hall, stating they have brought the others to safety and want to aid in closing this rift.

After recovering enough to carry on, but giving more time for the rift to solidify, the heroes work again at the altar. Malgrim studies the symbols, Kissandi prays to the Raven Queen, while Rabbit and Tilly help out.

The walls of the hall dissipate and now the group stands at the base of a hill, atop which is a marvelous pool of radiance. Four tents stand at corners of the base of the hill. Above the pool of radiance flies Fyria, shadow angel, not looking to happy to have been recalled to this space. Also hovering around the edges of the pool are four shades of fallen heroes.

Kissandi and Fyria challenge one another about the path of the Raven Queen and whose path is true. Kissandi, for today, is unsure which path has been chosen by the Raven Queen, or are both true paths?

A battle ensues. Kissandi and the others quickly fell the shades of fallen heroes.

A githyandki shade appears and does battle with Rabbit and Tilly as Malgrim works at defacing the many markings on the well, seemingly battling the power that has opened the rift.

Kissandi, after becoming invisible to Fyria, the shadow angel, does a flying charge just hitting Fyria in mid-air. Kissandi falls and lands in the pool of radiance. The liquid is thicker than water. Fyria uses shadow wings to obscure the zone around Kissandi, and then charges into the liquid, battling Kissandi in a space now unseen to the others. The two fight. Kissandi is able to make it to the top of the water by using various escape powers, only to be pulled back under by Fyria.

Eventually, the killing blow is leveled on Fyria. She bursts and those near her are swallowed by darkness, almost knocking them out. One of the halflings is able to offer a final prayer that helps mute the power of the well and close the opening to the rift to Lambasa.

The heroes have done it!

The essence of the area itself seems to shake. The darkness gives way to light. The groups reemerges in the hall they had found the shadar-kai who were controlled by Therapin.

Treasures are found including:

Shadowfell Signet LVL 19

Shadowfell Gloves LVL 16

Shadowrift Blade LVL 17 (short sword)

A bag that Kissandi knows she needs to take and not open, the Raven Queen told her about it earlier – it is to be a gift to help convert a powerful unbeliever later.

A Deal with the Dragon

The party heads in the direction of the front doors, 4 severed fire giant hands stored to use for safe reentry…

Spotted high above by Tyzzer, the dragon, Brazzemal effortlessly flies down towards the party.

Neither side intimidated, a negotiation is made. The dragon says Snurre is dead. Brazzemal says he killed Snurre because he ran to him seeking protection, not a very kingly thing to do.

Brazzemal wants the heads of the Queen, the fire giant forge master, Snurre’s sub commanders, and the volcanic iron golem in exchange for Snurre’s head. The party seems content with the deal. Brazzemal tosses what appears to be Snurre’s iron net to them and leaves.

Charzin leads the party back into the fire giants home, using the severed hand to seemingly deactivate the door.

The group first goes a new direction, listening first, then surprising the kitchen staff led by Sulfuria. A handful of azer servants were quickly destroyed. Sulfuria seemed to try to escape but was quickly boxed in and destroyed. A seething flaming shard was freed after the fight. Rowena made a brief kinship with it and it followed the party until the next battle began, before escaping. The party found a small sack of coins with 250 gp.

The group continued until they reached the armory where they dispatched 4 hell hounds, two fire archons, and a azer pyromancer who led them. Lots of giant weapons and armor here, but nothing of note. The group reached a milestone and gained an action point.

Next up, the group headed into an area with 6 azer blackguard. Ja’Elle tried to start the fight off with a bang, but ended up taking lumps from many of the very prepared azer blackguard. Rowena immobilized and moved the encroaching azer. Charzin kept them at bay. Tyzzer commanded his allies to strike them while they were down. Bui magnificently weakened the enemy with the power of his god and the standard of the silver dragon. After half of the azer fell in the battle a dwarf slave in manacles stumbled out of a nearby doorway asking for help. Tyzzer went to see how to help. The group defeated the azer. The manacles on the dwarf prisoner came off very easily when Ja’Elle looked to remove them.

We left off about to take a short rest, to talk with the dwarf prisoner, and to continue on through the entry level of Snurre’s lair.

Running Away?!?

March 13, 994 1:15 p.m.
Party Gold = 222,500 g.p.

Snurre was the first to run, but wouldn’t be the last…

The party had Snurre fleeing for his life. A quick conversation about whether to press the pursuit or to catch their breath did not hinder the group from pursuing Snurre. The secret tunnel split in two directions. It was dark.

Charzin tracked and found fresh footprints. All but Ja’Elle headed that direction. Ja’Elle scouted the other direction and searched unsuccessfully for a secret door at the end of the hall.

Charzin discovered an illusory wall. Behind it was a volcanic iron golem that looked exactly like Snurre. Charzin charged it. It’s volcanic aura was intense. It was very difficult to get away from it. Tyzzer, Rowena and Bui joined the fight as Ja’Elle slipped past and ventured down a long stair-well.

Charzin and Tyzzer locked their focus on the iron golem. Rowena and Bui heard loud crashes from down the stairwell and then the groan of their halfling ally as he received a barrage of hurled rocks from hill and stone giants readied behind a secret door he pulled open.

Bui was able to save Ja’Elle. They made their way back up the stairs with the hill and stone giants ending their pursuit. The volcanic iron golem battled on. Charzin was knocked unconscious. Tyzzer was dying, too, but stayed on his feet groggily.

The group slowly made their retreat to the secret door leading to the great hall of Snurre. Barely escaping, the volcanic iron golem did not follow them into the great hall.

The group limped back out of the home of the fire giants and back to their cave. They took an extended rest, but their dreams were dark and full of questions.

The giants and their allies now knew their home had been breached and by whom. Where did Snurre go? How could they defeat the volcanic iron golem? What was in the treasure chests near the iron golem? How to get past those hill and stone giants? What about Brazzemal the Red Dragon?

It has been rare if ever that the group has needed to retreat. The question of their mortality pressed into their minds. Charzin reinforced this with his requests to return to Lambasa. Tyzzer insisted that they return with the head of Snurre.

On March 14, the party set out and hid until they were able to find fire giants leaving their home and heading out. They found 2 and 4 medium hell hounds. A quick fight that took very few resources of the party led to a victory and 4 fire giant hands, intended for use on the front door for safe reentry.

Embarrassed by Maggots

Until the past two months, everything had gone to plan. The lesser giants had served me well. Conquest and plunder had been easy. The response from the little ones had been weak.

The fall of Nosnra and the Hill Giant Steading was somewhat expected. Even so, the first significant defeat was noticeable. Then, in seemingly a short time, Thane Arnak stopped aiding the cause and Jarl Grugnur’s demise and the bitter civil dispute within the Frost Giant ranks had severely weakened some very useful allies.

Even without these leaders, confidence still surged in my veins that with the power that still remained behind me, these would be the days that my people would remember as the Ascension.

I fully expected who had broken the weaker links to arrive. I had thought of it often. How great a story it would be to strike these maggots down in my own hall. To burn them where they stood.

The fight began, my confidence was complete. I and my guard would squash these pests.

To my great surprise, this took an unexpected turn. First, my enemy did not come forward to challenge me in my Great Hall. Instead these puny ones stood at the far end of the hall using electricity to weaken my fire giants. Not only this, but the heat of the hall and from the weapons of my fire giant kin, the azers and my pets Smoke and Scorch did not seem to have much impact on them.

Their priest destroyed many of the young fire giants and the smaller hell hounds. The female elf wizard used his wrongly held power to keep me, His Majesty Himself stuck to a spot that was too far to give inspiration to my men and too far to throw my net on the enemy.

To a man, all of my guards and even those Isent Scorch to bring to fight were destroyed by the enemy. My two pets were destroyed before my eyes!

The smallest of the small was able to dark, tumble and jump around while dealing vicious blows to his kin. The sword mage teleported and kept many of my men at bay, including the dark elf for a time. Their commander, called Coach by the sword mage, kept control of the battlefield only because I, King Snurre, could not approach what had mistakenly become the battlefield. How infuriating it all was. How awful, unexpected, and demoralizing. Having to retreat from such weaklings. This was shameful. The only way to offset this embarrassment would be to bring these intruders their complete destruction.

There is still a way back to power. Every glorious tale has it’s moment of despair. This must be it.

But first, following the dark elf through the secret door is needed to turn to welcome these uninvited guests to what they deserve!

Entering the Hall of the Fire Giant King

Last time the party had defeated young red dragons and the dragon-worshipping kobolds to clear out a safe cave not far from the home of King Snurre, in the heart of the volcanic region.

Approaching the base of the volcano at 6:00 a.m., the characters use Ja’Elle to scout the entry doors. He sets up about 150 feet away, hidden amongst the rocks. The others stay back 200 feet further. Giants arrive and use the door around noon.

The group decides to try to find other entries. Charzin puts on some equipment and makes his way around the area and then makes a second wider loop finding no other entries.

Rowena flies on her bird, finds a chimney entryway on top of the volcanic hill. She drops a rock, lit with magical light and it goes down at least several hundred feet, deeper than the base of the hill.

The group decides to climb the hill and Bui makes a magical safe-house for the group to take a rest. Charzin stands guard on the roof of the house. As the others drift into sleep a huge red dragon emerges from the chimney, fully extends his wings, and scares the crap out of Charzin, who is speechless. Brazzemal the huge red dragon intimidates Charzin. The other party members, now awake again, emerge and try to reason with Brazzemal. Rowena unsuccessfully tries to play Brazzemal against Snurre, discovering they are at least allies. Tyzzer attempts to find out what Brazzemal wants, also unsuccessfully. Rowena tries and fails to give an offering of her staff of storms. Ja’Elle tries to sneak away, but Brazzemal will have none of it. Brazzemal welcomes you to dinner and flies back into and down the chimney.

The party puts on fresh clothes and descends the volcanic hill. Ja’Elle stays and scouts out the door again. Bui uses a sending ritual to see what’s taking Ja’Elle so long.

The group returns to their cave and rests.

March 13. The party sets out again and gets ready for the next raiding party. At about noon, another raiding party returns back towards the Hall of the Fire Giant King. The group ambushes them.

With Tyzzer and Charzin taking some damage, the group expends very few other resources (Charzin spent an action point, but he starts with two after an extended rest). The last fire giant is subdued.

Rowena uses comprehend languages to talk with the fire giant. After a little while, the group turns to violence to try to get info from him. Then, they drag his unconscious body to the front door and use his hand to open the door. Ja’Elle, at Charzin’s behest, kills the giant, attempting to use his body to prop the door open.

Quickly, the group enters. Rowena and Bui spot a small fiery creature behind a curtain. Gong! The azer hall warden saw the group, too. Charzin killed the azer gong boy.

Ja’Elle looked around the corner, saw and was spotted by (?) King Snurre (?). The large fire giant is protected by 3 other fire giants and 2 large hell hounds.

Establishing a Base of Operations: Dragon's No More

The group moves through the billowing volcanic ash towards a cave, in hopes of setting up a safe location to use as a retreat point from the Hall of the Fire Giant King, if needed…

Ja’Elle scouted ahead. Rowena spotted a trip-wire trap just before Ja’Elle triggered it. Ja’Elle was easily able to disable it. He found and disabled a pressure plate trap not far away.

The group ambushed a gaggle of kobolds, who were quite resilient. When the kobold chargers were destroyed, they made one last charge before burning out. At least four of the six burned out trying in vain to attack Charzin. The kobold mages were able to get off a dying breath area burst attack that softened up the party a bit. Tyzzer directed the attack as the others picked off the kobolds one by one. One kobold did escape. When Charzin ran after it, he sprang a trip-wire poison gas trap. The party decided to take a short rest and go slowly.

Ja’Elle was able to disable two more traps along what was an hour hike into the cave passages. Eventually, the party discovered a dragon lair inhabited by one adult red dragon, three red dragon wyrmlings, and two kobold mages.

A stoneskin application by Rowena and a blessing from Bui giving everyone temporary hit points negated much of the enemies attacks. Rowena was able to slow the dragons from escaping with a ball lightning. Ja’Elle used his daggers to critically hit and kill the wyrmlings. Charzin kept the adult dragon near him by threatening to destroy the eggs, by using his swordmage power to lasso the dragon, and by jumping on the dragon’s back. Bui saved Charzin from a long fall when the dragon was eventually able to tail slap him off.Throughout, Tyzzer was able to give extra attacks, allow his allies to switch spaces with allies to allow for important uses of his allies abilities, and even do some solid damage with his magic axe.

In the end, all the enemies were killed and the party took control of the cave as a base of operations. There was a large treasure (to be added soon) and 12 red dragon eggs left after the battle. The treasure included fifteen 1000 gp gems, a 3,000 gp value sapphire adorned tiara, and three diamond rings (1,000 gp value each) mixed in with a pile of 15,000 gp (placed in chests by the party). The group also discovered four potions of vitality (to be distributed in our next session).

After an extended rest, the party leveled up (now level 18) and decided to send Ja’Elle out to scout. He did and this is what you now know:

Nestled deep within the icy peaks of the King’s Mountains is a chain of volcanoes surrounded by an ashen plain of basalt crisscrossed with rivers of magma. Dubbed the Hellfurnaces, these angry volcanoes send plumes of smoke into the darkened sky, and embers fall like hot rain upon the land. You traveled across this hellish expanse to the foot of a steeply rising hill about three hundred feet high.

Smoke pours from numerous vents atop the hill, and occasionally some of these holes spurt jets of flame as well. Beneath this mound of slag and black rock lies the Hall of King Snurre (pronounced Snur-ee). Obsidian doors set into the base of the hill are the only visible entrance. They appear unguarded.

A Demon, An Undying Cultist, and Powers from Beyond

Kissandi Saga Part 6

Last time, a difficult choice was made to take an extended rest. Some group members had saved out of their conditions caused by the Shadowfell (Rabbit, Kobhein and Drake), but others are still affected (Kissandi and Tilly).

Now, the group has the group has found themselves already within the Shadowfell itself.

March 2, 994 @ 1:30 pm

Kissandi lets the others know that she deserves all of the credit with the Raven Queen and the others are not needed and can leave. She can handle it herself. Tilly pipes in and says she could handle it herself, too.

Drake and Rabbit attempt to calm Kissandi, telling her she can have all the credit and assuring her they are here to help Lambasa and the lives of innocents against this imminent threat.

Tilly quickly moves forward. The others try to catch up. Two bodaks and a nightwalker emerge from the shadow. Tilly is quickly dropped unconscious by the nightwalker. Rabbit emerges to bring her back to consciousness. Kissandi, Kobhein, Drake, and Rabbit fight off this evil force, taking some significant wounds in the fight. Kissandi finds more power from the Raven Queen as she uses radiant energy to diminish the nightwalker. Drake does himself significant damage as he breathes acid to protect his allies.

During the battle, Lackey, Lester, and Uehara calm the waters and remove some of the arcane and divine energy from the pool and the surrounding font. In doing so they are afflicted by the Shadowfell, becoming very argumentative.

The clues clearly lead into a building nearby. The group enters, goes into a deeper room in the building and sees a great hall with a pool of blood in the middle that actively flows out and into four grates in the floor. The pool seems to not lose any blood. How strange. Standing in the pool of blood are five shadar-kai. There is a large statue on a platform. There are two staircases leading to a raised area of the room atop which stands an alter, two raised clear spheres and a chanting cultist. Various statues and paraphernalia lines the raised area around the alter.

The leader of the shadar-kai approaches, his dark eyes focused intently upon the party. He appears to be timid, or maybe frightened, but not necessarily of you and your companion. “I am Gruthow,” he says. “Who are you?” Together, the group diplomatically introduces themselves, helping Kobhein along the way. “Why have you come to this place?” he asks. The group explains their history very well. Gruthow and the other shadar-kai listen to your words with great intensity. “Why do you bring back memories of distant times?” Gruthow and the others appear confused and conflicted. The situation isn’t all that it appears to be. The party uses their insight and streetwise to understand the shadar-kai are deeply frightened, and not by the adventurers. They shift their eyes to each side, as though looking for someone or waiting for something to happen. Gruthow chooses his words carefully, as though someone else was listening to this exchange. The shadar-kai are acting like a people who have been threatened, mistreated, and intimidated. In some ways, they behave as slaves might.

Gruthow suddenly grows tense, as though every muscle in his body has turned to steel. An uncharacteristic smile spreads across his face, and he says in a higher, more shrill voice, “Champions, huh? They’ll let anyone call themselves that, won’t they? Tell me, is Old Elrilmarioum, that weakling wizard, still alive?”

Rabbit and Drake diplomatically keep Gruthow and the other shadar-kai talking and try to help them. Kissandi starts to make her way around the shadar-kai towards the platform with the chanting cultist. Kobhein watches Kissandi for instruction. Tilly is in her own world. The smart-ees are still arguing with each other.

Gruthow ways, “I am Therapin, and these are my happy followers. Perhaps you’d care to join us? I could have a lot of fun with the likes of you.” The voice that has identified itself as Therapin jumps from shadar-kai to shadar-kai as it talks to you. First it emerges from Gruthow, then from a shader-kai female to your right, then from another shadar-kai in the back row. “You have come to my home, threatened to take my property, and you expect me to welcome you? No, no, that is not the way I work, you arrogant gnats! Lay down your weapons, listen to my whispers, and perhaps you will see that the life I offer is not so terrible.”

Kissandi and Kobhein attempt to get around the shadar-kai. The shadar-kai attack, albeit unwillingly. Kobhein is dropped unconscious. Kissandi makes her way through and to the alter. Drake administers his potion to Kobhein, healing him.

As the group continues, the work against three challenges, the shadar-kai, the demonic possession, and the alter/magical sphere/cultist problem. Kissandi attacks and drops the cultist, only to see him reanimated by the powers around the alter and the magical spheres. Rabbit does heavy damage to one of the spheres.

Whenever a hero misses in an attempt to help, Therapin yells, “Your weakness is clear! You are not worthy to even bow in my presence, let alone challenge me. I would not even accept you as a blood sacrifice.”

After the group nearly frees the shadar-kai, Kobhein tries, but fails to deal the end to the demonic possession. A dark cloud of malevolence rises out of the collected shadar-kai and roils above them. “You are pitiful creatures!” cries the voice of Therapin from the dark cloud. “Let us finish this1 I await you!” With that, the cloud drifts through the archway out of the room. Gruthow says, “the demon has gone through the archway, to awaken more!”

The shadar-kai, one by one, collapse after Therapin departs. The group continues, but fails to destroy the power that emanates from the altar area. In fact, the spheres reconstruct and power surges back. Some of the statues animated into undead cultists. The group destroyed some of them.

Next time, the group tries to remove the power from the altar area and then may possibly follow the path that the demon Therapin took.

With Hope Fading Kissandi, Drake, and Sojourners Trudge On

Kissandi’s Story Part 5

March 2, 994 @ 3:00 am

After climbing the fence and defacing the obelisk statue the group was able to damage it enough to shut it down temporarily from reanimating the dead. However, the rift to the Shadowfell is not here and it is still open. Until it is shut down, defacing this secondary post will only slow down the reanimation process of the undead.

The academics ask how they can help. After some more careful inspection of the obelisk statue, traps are found and expertly disabled by Tilly with Kissandi’s assistance and her thieve’s tools. Tilly does see a vision of a Suicide Demon and describes it to the group. The group does not believe this is Fyria’s image. Other clues are deciphered by the academics and the adventurers that show recent markings in different dialects and languages (forms of common), that necromancy was used and originated from multiple sources, that the clues were riddled with real and false traps, and a map leading deeper into the graveyard to another location.

Next, the group continues through the graveyard and deeper towards both danger and opportunity and into another statue that is animating skeletons. The group jumps into action against the skeletons. Rabbit goes face to face with a horde of skeletons. After destroying many individual skeletons, Kissandi comes to Rabbits aid. Kobhein goes head to skull with many skeletons. Ven “Drake” Roberts jumps into the fight. Uehara, the female dwarf tinkerer, asks to help with the obelisk statue, but the adventures say to stay safe until the battle is over. Tilly makes her way to the statue and tries to disable the device. She triggers a trap and becomes delusional about her abilities, saying that she can easily handle the rest alone. By the end of the battle, another poison gas trap was triggered and a third trap that made all the markings on the statue become very blurry and untranslatable. After the fight, Kissandi and Rabbit are affected by the Shadowfell, too. Hope is fading for the group.

Something of a map can be made out, but not much, leading the party into what was an area of town, with now destroyed or collapsed buildings and dead bodies, a feast for three slaughter wights and a bodak skulk. Another battle ensues. The wights regularly weaken the heroes and drain them of their energy and will to live. The bodak skulk’s gaze is demoralizing, and nearly deadly to Kobhein who maintains his will to live, just barely. As the wights are destroyed, they explode in an area 5 burst, dealing heavy damage to heroes and energizing their allies to use basic attacks. When the third and final wight blows up, all but Kissandi and Ven “Drake” Roberts are knocked unconscious. Drake is able to administer potions to two allies, and then Rabbit is able to save Tilly. The bodak is defeated, but the party is hurting.

The group finds a smaller contraption that emanates necrotic energy. The group is able to decipher many clues, but loses De La Rosa, the female arcanist, who triggered a trap that cause all party members to see their own face morphed into a corpse and then to an undead being. Kissandi smashed De La Rosa, whose body followed this path that the others envisioned for themselves.

The group learned that the final marking are from beyond this region, but some of the markings are from a local thief named Bantos, who used to be a member of the thieve’s guild, but now has an estate outside of town. The clues also show some of the markings are not from a language/dialect used regularly in Lambasa, that the magic and religious work done originated from multiple sources both in and out of this region, and that the clues are still riddled with various traps.

A difficult choice is made to take an extended rest. This means healing and a better chance of survival, but also likely allowing the reanimation process to speed up unchallenged again.

Some group members saved out of their conditions caused by the Shadowfell (Rabbit, Kobhein and Drake), but others are still affected (Kissandi and Tilly).

Next time, the group has a good clue on how to delve deeper into this gate to the Shadowfell, or are they already within the Shadowfell itself?

New Alliances, a Troubled Old Friend and Into the Hellfurnaces, Seeking a Safe Haven

Feb 24 @ 3 pm

The group gives up on finding Kissandi before leaving town, but want to do what they can to ensure her safety. Ja’Elle meets Dryrry at the Thieve’s Guild, asking the guild to look out for Kissandi and to inform her where the rest of the party is going. Ja’Elle also asks about Feck. Dryrry says Knyx trusts Feck, that Feck is in danger, but to contact her, more reputable means should be taken (not rogues). She is said to normally shop at an all day Farmer’s Market. Meanwhile, Bui does a sending ritual to let Kissandi know the party will be leaving Lambasa to head towards the fire giant stronghold.

Approximately 7 pm – The party arrives in the market. The town guard is looking for someone. Maybe it’s Feck. Tyzzer tries to divert their attention. Rowena creates what sounds like a dangerous crime and a woman in despair that leads the town guard away.

Tyzzer finds Feck and asks to meet. Ja’Elle hustles past and gets involved, luckily and skillfully not alarming Feck. Feck tells the group to meet her at 8 pm at an abandoned house to talk.

Feck and the party talk, both seeming to gain the trust of each other. After a long talk, Feck says she can keep herself safe in town, knows she is wanted by the town guard, but after hearing of the party’s forays, says she has a friend who could help the party. She says she will alert her friend and set up a meeting at an abandoned farmhouse in the morning.

Feb 25 morning – Elrilmarioum tells the party to meet him outside of town when they are ready to depart. The party leaves town to meet with Feck’s friend. At the abandoned barn, the group meets the swordmage Charzin (pronounced sharzen). He says he is originally from Aramil and that he was aware of something with the Lambasan Crow and now, hearing there were others interested in opening the case back up, has become interested. However, having had to leave Lambasa for his own safety, he gets word through Feck, another “disgraced” Scarlet Guard member, under cover in Lambasa.

Charzin was never friends or associates with the Lambasan Crow, but had seen him perform a few times. The nights leading up the assassination, he noticed a trusted friend, Tabata (pronounced tah-bah-tah) and another associate, Seneca, who were acting much different than normal. Tabata, also honored as a Scarlet guard, talked of leaving town soon and asking Charzin to join him. Seneca, normally a reliable town guard and a great jokester lost his sense of humor, did not show up for his post on consecutive nights, nor did he meet with the group at the bar. On the night of the assassination, both Tabata and Seneca were missing. Later that night, he was confronted by a woman he’d never met. The woman cursed him and said he knew the men who killed the Lambasan Crow. Of course, Charzin had no idea what she was talking about, until later. Seneca and Tabata disappeared from town. Charzin investigated and found other witnesses who reported what they saw to him. He made sure all of their stories checked out. He was certain. He was able to track down his Seneca outside of town and bring him in. Reporting this information and bringing Seneca directly to Van de Vries, Charzin expected everything to be rectified quickly. Instead, the witnesses disappeared, Seneca left town again after being freed, and Charzin was said to be misleading the town with these false accusations, and therefore banished from Lambasa. Before leaving, Charzin checked in with a longtime acquaintance, and now fellow disgraced Scarlet Guard, Feck, to try to keep a pulse on what was happening in town so one day he could help again.

After spending the day and night talking about the Lambasan Crow and getting to know one another, the party and Charzin gain one another’s trust as Charzin wants to help the kingdom and cannot currently help in Lambasa.

Feb 26 morning – the group meets Elrilmarioum outside of town. He tells the party to meet Nan in the King’s Mountains, that he will have done some scouting by now. He teleports them into the king’s mountains as close as he can get them to their intended location, which is still quite a ways away. The group sets out.

Feb 27 morning – The group meets up with Nan. After telling the group to find a chain of caves not too far away from the home of King Snurre that currently houses dragon young and dragon eggs, clear it, and ensure it is a safe haven in case they need to retreat, Nan pulls Tyzzer aside.

Nan tells Tyzzer that he has been like a son to him, that Tyzzer’s work will never be forgotten. With a hand on Tyzzer’s shoulder and an embrace, Nan says, “I am so proud of what you’ve done and know your intentions have always been good.” Tyzzer senses a sadness about Nan and tries to understand more unsuccessfully. Eventually, Nan gives Tyzzer a silver jeweled wristband and says that Nan’s father gave it to him and departs. Tyzzer gives Nan his celestial warhorse, hoping it will serve Nan well. Tyzzer thinks Nan is going to do something to sacrifice himself for the greater good, but cannot be sure that is what weighs on Nan.

Rowena creates a teleportation circle to send the horse back to Lambasa, so they do not die.

The group travels for weeks, towards the basalt mound in the Hellfurnaces, a chain of volcanoes in the hear of the heart of the King’s Mountains. After weeks, the party sees active lava flows and has to navigate through and around them.

March 11 – Within sight of the caves, fire elementals rise from the magma to protect their land. Rowena gives the group mass resist to fire and neutralizes much of the strength of the fire elementals. Charzin starts off his career with a critical hit before drawing the focus of much of the enemy’s attacks and defending his new party. Bui and Tyzzer are targeted quite a bit by a large elemental that throws fire at them. By the end of the battle, much of the battlefield is ablaze. Tyzzer directs extra attacks by Ja’Elle and Charzin to help weaken the enemy. Bui is able to plant the standard to help finish off the enemy.

Weakened a little, the group continues through the lava flow and approaches the cave they recognize, based on the directions Nan gave them…

Next time the group seeks to take the dragon cave, to set it up as a place of retreat in case of need during the assault on the fire giants home.

Kissandi Charges the Darkness

Kissandi’s Story Part 4

March 1, 994 @ 8:30 pm

Kissandi and the warforged continue to the house, the suspected third location of four that have helped open the rift to the Shadowfell in Lambasa very recently. Here, they find two shadar-kai tenebrous. Kissandi tries to attack, but they are able to shadowy movement to avoid fighting and taunt Kissandi. The warforged do not get involved in the proceedings.

The shadar-kai say that"Fyria is amongst us, you stand no chance now!" They try to convince Kissandi that they will follow her, that Kissandi should join them and Fyria, as true servants of the Raven Queen. They know that Kissandi is from Tyr and say they believe Kissandi has the potential to be of note amongst the servants of the Raven Queen.

She does manage to notice the same Gloria to Fyria carved into the base of the walls. There is more written here that she cannot make out. She does notice a map on the wall that appears to show the four locations.

The tenebrous toss a defaced obsidian raven statue towards Kissandi. She kicks it back at them. Kissandi tries to convince them to fight, is confused by their knowledge of her past and of her power. She leaves distracted, suffering in her initiative.

She and the warforged continue to the suspected fourth location, a nondescript looking temple from the outside. The warforged make another effort to get more information from Kissandi regarding Ara’s companions and Kissandi’s associates from Terkent, unsuccessfully.

Entering the temple, Kissandi sees it clearly to be a temple to the Raven Queen. A bell with symbols to the Raven Queen brings feelings and messages to Kissandi. A vision accompanied by a flash of light and bad feeling tell Kissandi to deny the Raven Queen. Kissandi, in an effort to center herself begins to cut. The blood and pain will center her thought again, she tells herself as she prays. It feels right. In fact, she feels the need to cut the image of the Raven Queen that she saw recently into herself. She cuts into her thigh, bleeds, and envisions a woman, a priest (?) who will tell her only truths, and Kissandi feels much better. She bandages her wounds.

In a higher place, the second level of the building, Kissandi meets the woman she envisioned and questions her. The woman doesn’t speak, but her voice seems clear in Kissandi’s mind. Kissandi is questioned about a conversion. Kissandi feels it is as if to ask if she has converted an unbeliever. Kissandi questions this. Kissandi is asked who she can convert? A powerful female ally, who only seeks power is all that comes to Kissandi though this voice in her head. Kissandi feels very strongly that she is being told to convert Rowena, or at least try.

Kissandi is told she is being to reckless with the lives of believers, that she mustn’t needlessly throw away their lives (could this mean Haplor could have been saved?) Kissandi ascents.

Kissandi is told when the rift to the Shadowfell is closed, she will find a sack with a skull in it. Kissandi mustn’t open it. She must gift it to her powerful, power-seeking friend (Rowena?) to help in the conversion – it will be a gift of a true believer who departed the natural world for the Shadowfell to better serve the Raven Queen.

Kissandi also is compelled to make better use of non-believers to aid the cause.

Kissandi is told she will have others who come to help her, here in the temple.

The veil drops. The priestess dissipates. The symbols of the Raven Queen disappear from the temple and it now appears a nondescript temple to worship any god. Kissandi feels strongly that what she saw was real. Kissandi is no longer distracted. In fact, her focus has been heightened.

Kissandi hears the presence of many others on the floor below and drops to her knees in prayer.

Soon later, footsteps, the doors open behind Kissandi, and a deep voice tells Kissandi that they have come looking for her and seek a common cause, then depart the room.

Kissandi finishes her prayer and then goes to the balcony. She sees those who will share her path, at least in these next steps. Introductions are made. Kissandi does not recognize their Sojourners markings (one is likely not a Sojourner). They include:

A group of adventurers (Sojourners)
Rabbit – a male halfling axefighting leader and controller, the speaker of the group and a friend to Kaven Windstrike.
Tilly – a female halfling lurker who uses smoke and a short sword.
Kobhein – a longtooth shifter brute who knew Haplor

A group of scholar friends who hope to aid in shutting down the Rift in Lambasa, but who cannot defend themselves (likely Sojourners):
De La Rosa – a female half-elf arcanist (non-adventurer)
Lackey – a male minotaur historian (non-adventurer)
Lester – a male human theologian (non-adventurer)
Uehara – a female dwarf tinkerer (non-adventurer)

Another adventurer/performer (likely not a Sojourner):
Ven “Drake” Roberts – a human controller whose faced is deeply blackened and scarred around his mouth and nose – visibly seeping. He is known around Lambasa (but not to Kissandi) as a freakshow, a human who breathes acid.

Kissandi says you must have done something bad to Ven “Drake” Roberts. He says yes, but says his wounds are not from that, those he was born with.

The group finishes their introductions and sets out to head towards the center of this perimeter of four landmarks.

As they enter a graveyard and necropolis, the world seems different. Dark clouds block out the stars and moon, rain pours down, lightning occasionally lights the night and loud thunderclaps keep everyone on edge.

The buildings appear to sway. It feels as if they are in the Shadowfell or something between the Shadowfell and the normal world.

Zombies attack! The group shows their skills and destroys the zombies very quickly. More zombies spawn. Some zombies that die are able to grab hold of the Sojourners and Kissandi. Ven “Drake” Roberts is able to protect the smarties from the zombies, despite one very close call. To do this, he breathes acid, destroying the zombie and hurting himself.

As the fight progresses and more zombies emerge from the ground, Kissandi is able to locate a subsidiary post that is speeding the animation of the undead here.

Climbing the fence and defacing the obelisk statue the group is able to damage it enough to shut it down. However, the rift to the Shadowfell is not here and it is still open. Until it is shut down, defacing this secondary post will only slow down the reanimation process of the undead.

The group continues through the graveyard and deeper towards both danger and opportunity.

They found symbols. There is power etched into the runes running along the base of the wall and the lip of the crypts. The power seems to have a connection to the rift to the Shadowfell, awakening the undead, and includes a long Gloria to Fyria, a Shadow Angel.

Kissandi saw Kaven scratching out part of an etching, but did not understand why.

Later, before Kaven departed, Kissandi took a mental image of him and noticed a small gold compass symbol hanging from a tiny beaded portion of Kaven’s hair.

Kissandi found an abandoned area to rest. She arose to see warforged watchmen. After a feeling out period by both sides, they decided to work together. The warforged went to the crypt with Kissandi and helped her interpret more from the etchings. Kissandi did a rubbing of some of the etchings to possibly show others later.

The warforged were clearly very interested in past travel companions of Kissandi’s, but willing to help her in her search to shut down the rift to the Shadowfell.

Kissandi went to a market. She traded her Robe of Eyes for gold. She offered it for 500 gp, much below market value. The makeshift trader said he only carried 300 gp, but would give her the other 200 gp later. As Kissandi left with the 300 gp, a couple of children ran up to her and told her to wait. 200 additional gold pieces were brought from what appeared to be a friend of the makeshift trader. Kissandi paid the children 1 gp and bought food for 1 gp. She returned to the hidden crypt with the warforged.

The night passed uneventfully.

The next day, Kissandi went to Infernal Alley. The town guard found her. She ran, prayed, and hid. As she slipped into the alleyway back entry to a business, she was spotted. She entered the kitchen of the back of a bar. From there she went into the bar. In the bar, she was surrounded. Using gifts bestowed on her by the Raven Queen, Kissandi found a way to escape and get away from the town guard. She returned to the crypt.

She stayed the night.

The next night, she paid 3 gp to buy 3 days worth of food and returned to the crypts.

It was on the second night after this food restock that the warforged returned. Following their questions, Kissandi said she knew of a crystal-fisted monk that she may have travelled with before. After this, the warforged found two other sites and took her to one.

At this second site, they found and defeated a shadow snake, more howling spirits, and some sort of bloated zombie. There was no treasure here, but a similar Gloria to Fyria and etchings imbued with power.

They returned to the first site, slept and waited through the next day.

They were not aware of the fourth site, but planned to go to the third site as night set on March 1, 994…

Closer to Death and God

As we ended the last time with Kissandi, she had signaled Haplor to take the city guard on past her as she went seemingly unnoticed to them…

10:30 p.m. – the weather took a turn. Storm clouds erupted in thunder and a downpour.

Kissandi, using the hat of disguise to change appearances, followed at a safe distance, thinking herself safely hidden out of sight. She saw Haplor lead the guards to the dead body of his fallen ally, into the house where the goliaths and tenebrous met their end, and back into the street. When the city guard left, Kissandi approached Haplor.

Kissandi thought her amazing recovery from a near-death experience should have convinced Haplor even more that she was the right hand of the Raven Queen. Haplor seemed less certain.

After taking Kissandi to a safe house for food and rest, they set out back into the tainted neighborhood with another ally, Shiuahn, a shadar-kai fighter known for her murderous frenzy.

Kissandi told them to follow her lead, to let her handle the leader while they took out the servants. As they approached a residence, a shadowy humanoid with glowing eyes, a hooded robe, and a gloomy voice welcomed them to their death. Kissandi and Haplor did not accept his invitation, but Shiuahn did and died at the false keepers hand, not before destroying several howling spirits. After the battle, Haplor took two arrows from a nearby roof and was told to drop his weapons.

Kaven Windstrike, who wouldn’t introduce himself until later, commanded them to explain themselves. Kaven didn’t seem to believe that Kissandi and Haplor were on the side of good simply because they were striking down another dark force. After some convincing by Kissandi, Kaven did not strike again, allowing them to enter the residence.

After a short rest, Kissandi and Haplor, upon entering the residence, discovered some etchings and scratchings on the walls and floors of the main level. They took a staircase down 6 vampires rose from their coffins to face them. Several of the vampires were destroyed quickly.

During the fight, Kissandi and Haplor heard another coffin open, in an adjacent secret chamber. Soon later a death knight entered the room through the secret door. He burst into unholy flames several times in the battle, finally striking down Haplor. He made sure Haplor stayed dead by separating his head from the rest of his body with a gruesome blow from his soulsword.

Kissandi struck what should have been the death blow to the last vampire, but he turned into a cloud of bats and flew off up the stairs and past the now entering Kaven Windstrike.

Kaven entered and stayed far enough away to stay out of melee for awhile, helping Kissandi with his longbow against the death knight. Kissandi used just about all the powers she had.

As the fight wore on, the three remaining all were bloodied. The death knight, empowered with fire from his unholy flames struck down Kissandi a moment before Kaven was able to strike down the death knight, healing Kissandi in the process.

Kaven introduced himself to Kissandi. Kissandi believed the Raven Queen sent Kaven for this moment. It seems to Kissandi that the Raven Queen has a great interest in keeping her alive for this purpose.

They began to search the place, Kissandi for clues towards more undead and the rift to the Shadowfell, Kaven perhaps for something else…

On information gained from Van de Vries, the group had gone to the Theatre District in search of tenebrous. As we left off last time, two tenebrous were spotted by Ja’Elle in a back alley behind the theatre…

The heroes readied themselves around the alleyway, setting themselves up with good advantage should this turn bad. After some interactions, the heroes led by Tyzzer and scouted by Ja’Elle determined that the tenebrous knew of Merlian Saar, but did not know him directly. The tenebrous were interested in finding/meeting Kissandi because of the story that Kissandi had seen the face of the Raven Queen. The party said they were unable to bring Kissandi to the tenebrous and the tenebrous said they were unable to bring Merlian Saar to the party. There was a third tenebrous in the alleyway, discovered later.

While Ja’Elle watched the tenebrous through the night, the others went to a coffeeshop nearby. Rowena used sending to communicate with Kissandi.

The next morning Bui used sending to communicate with Kissandi.

The group heard about a fight the next night at the Theatre featuring Mani vs. a challenger.

Bui got a note to meet Vale Temeros. When he met Vale, Vale introduced him to his long-lost “sister”, a woman one year older than him that he hasn’t seen since they were teens at the orphanage. Rosalyn, known to Bui as Jocy, was a reason he became a traveler. They were closest of friends, until she vanished one night. She went missing when they were teens. John was used to her night terrors and screaming so he fell right back to sleep. When she was gone the next morning, that was nothing new. She always was the first to set out, to explore, to adventure when they were kids. But, she didn’t return. He has never seen her since. He was quite surprised to see her in Lambasa. He asked Vale to take her to the safety of the University. Jocy told Bui she had been taken to water by frog-like or fishlike people and somehow she was able to breathe. She said she could teach Bui to do this, too.

Ja’Elle got a note that Jimbo had come by. Ja’Elle was upset that Jimbo hadn’t left town because this would mean great danger for Jimbo. The next morning, during other important talks, Jimbo showed up. Ja’Elle asked the University to watch over him and keep him safe, get him cleaned up, and then get him out of town.

Ja’Elle also had a short, but painful experience, as his mark radiated pain through his head. After this, Ja’Elle was insistent that the heroes leave Lambasa.

Tyzzer got a note from Lyrie Akenja. She spoke with him about resuming and finishing the mission Against the Giants. She didn’t say it needed immediate attention, but within the next few days to a week at most would be best. Two quests were added at this point:

Capture the Traitor – Obmi Ironwhisper, an exiled dwarf noble, serves King Snurre as an advisor. The dwarf lords want this traitor to stand trial for treason and are willing to pay 250 platinum pieces for his capture

Confront the Dark Power – A dark power is uniting the many tribes of giants. Find out who or what is responsible, and destroy them.

Later, Tyzzer got a message to meet with the town guard. Ja’Elle trailed behind, but did not enter city hall. Tyzzer met with Van de Vries. When Tyzzer told Van de Vries that he wanted to find Kissandi and leave town, Van de Vries was pleased. That’s why Van de Vries said he summoned Tyzzer. He said Kissandi was no longer welcome in Lambasa. She was considered a criminal and a threat to the city due to arson and a threat against Shelley, the proprietor of Neberintzen’s. Van de Vries also asked Tyzzer to gather any information about Feck, a disgraced Scarlet Guard (mage who had joined with the Thieves’ Guild). Tyzzer didn’t have much interest in helping Van de Vries with Feck.

Lud brought in an informant that came forward seeking the Lambasan Crow reward. Her name is Lokara. She is a female dwarf. She matched the profile of the person Ja’Elle was told about as a potential source of information. She said she was freed from prison because they trusted she wouldn’t say what she saw. After assurance from Tyzzer and the others, Lokara told the group she saw humans, who worked for years with the city guard, disguised as elves, setting out poison that would kill the Lambasan Crow later that night. She said she was seen witnessing this and that is why she was imprisoned and kept until the authorities believed she would not talk. She fears for her life and doesn’t know why she spoke now. She believes this must have been ordered by the king or those who serve under the king. The group plans to help her get to Standhall. Tyzzer plans to either ride with her there, or find a way to teleport her there, sending information to Shem Wartburg (mayor) and the librarian he knew there growing up to look out for her and keep her safe.

On the next night (Feb 23), the group went to the theatre for the fight, bought three tickets on the second hand market at a higher cost and got seats in the front. Ja’Elle snuck in and scouted the place. After the undercard dwarf fight, Mani, the renowned fighter helped clean up. The group noticed a sheep in his back room as Mani went to ready himself for the fight. The main event lasted less than a minute. Mani, again made sure that all blood was cleaned up. Rowena booed and said she wanted another fight.

After the announcer said to meet for drinks across the street, Tyzzer said he would fight Mani. After deliberations between Mani and the announcer, it was determined that Rowena would be buying drinks for everyone at the Theatre that night, that Tyzzer would fight another challenger first and then Mani would fight Tyzzer if he won.

Tyzzer used some crowd-pleasing moves to win his fight quickly.

Tyzzer then fought Mani. It was a good fight. When Mani knocked Tyzzer down a third time, the fight was over. Tyzzer and Mani seemed to have gained a mutual respect for one another.

During the fight, Ja’Elle snuck into Mani’s room. It was pristine. It had only one sheep, a small container with dirt and grass for the sheep, and a few buckets filled with water.

Across the street at the bar, Rowena put a sack of coins on the bar and said drinks are on us tonight. Tyzzer cleaned off a space for Mani. When Mani arrived after the others, he brought his sheep with him on a leash.

Mani said he wanted to be done fighting, but that he needed enough money to survive on and that those who set up the fights, the promoters, might not want him to retire quite yet. Tyzzer gave Mani a valuable ring that he could sell and told him to seek out Sarax to find a mission.

The group was told by Kissadi that Captain Eegar, a pirate, had somehow made it to Lambasa and painted the town red. So far, the party has found no signs of the town being painted red. Perhaps it was a false rumor.

At this point, the group is trusting the University to help Lokara, Jimbo, and Rosalyn Collins.

Tyzzer is hoping Mani will stop bare-knuckle fighting and find Sarax.

The group wants to find Kissandi and get out of town. Ja’Elle wants to leave as soon as possible.

Quests, etc.:
King Snurre’s head to Lord Krombaalt – earn thundercloud tower (Major)
Rescue Moonshadow, elven princess, from Snurre, fire giant king (Minor)
Capture the Traitor – Obmi Ironwhisper, an exiled dwarf noble, serves King Snurre as an advisor. The dwarf lords want this traitor to stand trial for treason and are willing to pay 250 platinum pieces for his capture (Minor)
Confront the Dark Power – A dark power is uniting the many tribes of giants. Find out who or what is responsible, and destroy them (Minor)
University to help Lokara (informant re: death of Lambasan Crow), Jimbo (druggie homeless man in care of Ja’Elle), and Rosalyn Collins (“sister” of Bui)
Van de Vries has sent group to rid town of Kissandi and to find Feck for the city guard
Tyzzer told Mani to find Sarax in an effort to get him out of the fighting ring
Fumaro (gith druid) & Tekal (human psion) owed muscle in Glim by Tyzzer, Ja’Elle, & Kissandi
Vaazrus (gremlin tinkerer) owed a service by Ja’Elle
Lambasa Thieves’ Guild owed continuing help from Ja’Elle for Bella rescue + more
Neogi owed info re: Adalaentar (red dragon) from Ja’Elle for freeing Ja’Elle
Ja’Elle may wish to follow up with Bella, or possibly not.

She remains hidden as Shelley comes into the basement to move a barrel of ale back upstairs. Eventually Kissandi climbs the slide and investigates the bedroom where she met Gein for a second time. She unearths a couple more small amounts of the chewable drug that Gein had.

Kissandi walked out of the room, down the stairs, and by Shelley. Shelley is clearly scared and startled, screening for help, tripping backwards across the room. Kissandi does not threaten her and leaves the bar.

As she enters the street, Kissandi quickly blends in, joining the general movement in the street and seemingly going unnoticed by the city guard.

Kissandi hasn’t eaten in over a day and heads towards a market, blocks down Infernal Alley. Along the way, a human priest of the Raven Queen named Haplor steps in Kissandi’s way, calling her a blasphemer and desiring proof of Kissandi having seen the face of the Raven Queen. Haplor says the same powerful force that will help Kissandi if she proves to be true will be the same who see to her destruction if she has lied.

Haplor invites Kissandi to a bar on Infernal Alley, feeds her while they converse. Then, Haplor introduces Kissandi to Byl.

Byl is quite shaken. His eyes are nearly pure white, formerly green, but much faded. Between shakes Byl says his family was killed two nights ago. Kissandi and Haplor determine that Byl is in the grey area between life and death right now, himself. Haplor blessed Byl, somewhat calming him. Byl says shadows dragged his wife and children from the house despite his attempts to save them. He hasn’t returned home since.

Kissandi and Haplor go to his home, a little more than a block off Infernal Alley. Noise is heard within. Kissandi enters the back door. Inside, she finds and destroys a ghoul snacking on a child. The investigation to follow leads to a house across the street from where the child was apparently taken. The investigation seems to show Byl’s family story checks out from two nights ago.

A neighbor lady will not open her door to Kissandi and Haplor.

Kissandi rests in Byl’s house while Haplor stands guard. Around 9 pm, Haplor starts to sleep. At 10 pm, 2 tenebrous shadar-kai arrive. A fight breaks out. The tenebrous make use of the shadows in the room and created by the characters, but Kissandi and Haplor are able to destroy both of them.

As the battle with the tenebrous is almost done, a loud banging is heard from the back door. The two goliaths that served Merlian Saar, known since the encounter in the Warrens of the Stone Giant Thane, enter the back door enthused in finding Kissandi. They clearly are upset with Kissandi about her ruining their lives. The fight continues. Kissandi is knocked out.

Haplor runs towards Infernal Alley yelling for help from the city guard. He is chased and caught by a goliath. After 12-18 seconds, a street fighter comes to Haplor’s aid. Haplor escapes, runs, and yells for help.

Kissandi makes a remarkable recovery and comes to (critted a death save after one strike). Kissandi realizes the goliath in the room with her was about to bandage her wounds. She continues the fight.

The streetlighter is killed.

Kissandi destroys one goliath and then the other. Kissandi finds the unknown street fighter dead in the road. She is concerned that with tenebrous and the goliaths showing up, Merlian Saar may be near. After trying to remain hidden and scoping out the area, she follows the tracks of Haplor toward Infernal Alley.

Haplor is bringing a few city guards with him and catches Kissandi’s bluff. He leads the guards past Kissandi towards the house and finds the dead street fighter, Haplor’s acquaintance.

Kissandi is blending in (not following Haplor), remaining unnoticed by the city guard.

To be continued…

Ja’Elle owes Vaazrus a service sometime in the future.
Ja’Elle owes the Thieve’s Guild help (recurring) (additional for help with jail break for Bella)
Ja’Elle owes the neogi information about Adalaentar.
Group Quests:
Deliver King Snurre’s Head to Krombaalt, storm giant lord (Major Quest) to earn a thundercloud tower
Rescue Moonshadow, the elven princess, from King Snurre, the fire giant king (Minor Quest) for a monetary reward
Help Fumaro and Tekal in Glim (Tyzzer, Ja’Elle, and Kissandi owe them help/strength in return for a previous favor granted.

Rowena put 100 g.p. reward through Lud (works at University) for someone to provide information about the death of the Lambasan Crow.

Ja’Elle may wish to speak with Lokara, female dwarf, former prisoner regarding the death of the Lambasan Crow. He may also wish to follow up with Bella, or possibly not.

Rowena and Tyzzer each purchase a war horse and set off for Standhall. They choose to go off the road to make a more direct route across the prairie land. The ride will take 2.5 days. A storm appears in the distance. The storm grows stronger the closer the riders get to Standhall.

On the second morning, Tyzzer and Rowena spot a large group heading overland towards them. As they grow nearer, 2 ogres and several humanoids are seen (orcs & humans). They have two slaves. Just before Rowena can unleash, Tyzzer convinces her to hold her fire.

Negotiating for the slaves, Tyzzer gets the slavers to accept 450 gp for both. One of the slaves was a farmer from Standhall. The other was from beyond Standhall in the countryside. When questioned, the former slaves said they were just captured by the slavers and that the slavers had a small green creature with pointy ears captured and held in a bag, too.

On day 3, Tyzzer, Rowena and the two slaves make it to stormy Standhall. They free the slaves, inform Mayor Shem Wartburg about the slavers and ask about the storm giant. They learn that the storm giant left a 12’ long mark on the main dirt road of town in the shape of a lightning bolt. After Tyzzer and Rowena trace the mark, Krombaalt makes a dramatic entrance on his thunder hawk. Krombaalt thanks the group for rescuing his daughter, Elektra, from the Frost Giants. He gives Rowena the ritual Familiar Mount. He speaks of his hatred for King Snurre Ironbelly. Should the heroes bring him the head of King Snurre, he promises them a thundercloud tower to call their own (major quest). Tyzzer requests a celestial mount. Krombaalt says there will be one in Lambasa for him to keep for 90 days, or forever if Snurre’s head is delivered.

Tyzzer and Rowena teleport back to Lambasa, to the University. The mount is in Lambasa when Tyzzer makes it back. They rejoin the others.

Meanwhile, Ja’Elle continues his mission to find out more about what happened to the Lambasan Crow. After speaking with a exterior prison guard named Norris, Ja’Elle is let into the prison and talks with Calderax, a male tie fling. Calderax cries, is afraid of “them” and provides no information, seemingly fearing that Ja’Elle might be one of the “them.”

Ja’Elle talks to Bella, a opera singer imprisoned here, too. She is afraid of “them,” too. She is worried she will be killed by “them” if she leaves the prison. Ja’Elle convinces her that his associates can keep her safe until things can be changed and she can perform on stage again.

Ja’Elle greases Norris’ palm with 5 gp to look the other way while Bella slips out sometime in the next day or two.

Ja’Elle has yet to speak with the former prisoner who was named as a possible informant, too.

Ja’Elle checks in with Dryrry of the Thieves’ Guild, and learns that a day and a half later, with help from the Thieves’ Guild, Bella was freed and is safe for now.

Ja’Elle gets word that Bui and Kissandi are in town and he rejoins them.

Meanwhile, Bui and Kissandi try to uncover more information to unravel this shadowy force that has taken hold in Lambasa. Both pray to their respective gods. Bui learns that something is amiss in the world. A strange, unnatural, otherworldly force is taking hold of this area, something from the Shadowfell. Something must be done. Kissandi sees the face of the Raven Queen and the Raven Queen speaks directly to her telling Kissandi that someone has opened a rift to the Shadowfell near where Kissandi is and the rift must be closed to the stop the chaos. A force familiar with you has caused this.

Kissandi and Bui are able to figure out that Merlian Saar, a noble they found in the Warrens of the Stone Giants scrying on others may be the force. Merlian Saar was served by two goliath guards and two tenebrous assassins (shader-kai).

Bui gains the ritual Shadow Walk from his god because of the connection with Kissandi, the Raven Queen, and the newfound knowledge of the Shadowfell.

The investigation begins. The two decide Ja’Elle will be of help and send word through possible contacts amongst the homeless that they are in the Temple district and await him.

Feelers are put out to see if Merlian Saar and his associates have entered Lambasa. Two goliaths tried to enter and refused to leave their weapons. They were denied entry. Merlian Saar was not noted on any entry logs or by any guards. Neither were any shadar-kai.

Gein Kafog at Neberintzen’s – the group goes and sees Shelley the bartender and a couple of patrons in the morning. At night, the place is full. Gein Kafog, the white skinned, pink eyed drug dealer and punk makes an appearance. Kissandi, Bui, and Ja’Elle go up to his room. Things do not go well. Kissandi introducers herself as the right hand of the Raven Queen, draws her sword and threatens Gein. After a few tense moments, Gein makes an escape through a trap door in the floor, leading to a slide that descends two levels to the basement. Hastily, the group follows. All they find are illusory bats and a lot of broken boxes in the basement.

The heroes offer Gein’s stash of drugs to anyone who will help them find him. The crowd from the bar disperses and it is empty, save the heroes and Shelley.

Kissandi tells Shelley to help and when Shelley says she is not able to help, Kissandi tells Shelley that she (Kissandi) will find and kill Gein and will light this bar on fire. As Kissandi is leaving, she lights Neberintzen’s on fire. Kissandi tries to behead Shelley, but Bui recalls ally and brings Kissandi to her. Ja’Elle momentarily knocks out Kissandi. Before Bui and Ja’Elle can tie her up, Kissandi awakens.

Many come to help extinguish the fire. The town guard gathers and tells Kissandi she will need to come in with them. Kissandi disappears into a shadow, escapes, and climbs a building to keep and eye on it.

Bui and Ja’Elle depart.

Kissandi stays and watches for Gein. She spots 3 humanoids that all look like Gein meeting in front of Neberintzen’s later that night. Kissandi is unable to follow them, as each moves back into the shadows.

Using her hat of disguise and looking like a town guard, Kissandi goes into the basement of Neberintzen’s to wait for Gein. She’s still waiting…

Bui and Ja’Elle reunite with Tyzzer and Rowena.

Tyzzer and Van de Vries talk. Tyzzer senses Van de Vries knows something about Merlian Saar or his associates. After convincing Van de Vries that this is a common foe and the heroes can do something to help, Van de Vries agrees to gather information and meet with Tyzzer the next day. They meet and Van de Vries says shadar-kai were spotted last night in the Theatre District, behind the theatre.

At night, the four heroes go to the location that Van de Vries mentioned. They spot two shadar-kai in an alley behind the theatre.

Ja’Elle owes Vaazrus a service sometime in the future.
Ja’Elle owes the Thieve’s Guild help (recurring) (additional for help with jail break for Bella)
Ja’Elle owes the neogi information about Adalaentar.
Group Quests:
Deliver King Snurre’s Head to Krombaalt, storm giant lord (Major Quest) to earn a thundercloud tower
Rescue Moonshadow, the elven princess, from King Snurre, the fire giant king (Minor Quest) for a monetary reward
Help Fumaro and Tekal in Glim (Tyzzer, Ja’Elle, and Kissandi owe them help/strength in return for a previous favor granted.

Rowena put 100 g.p. reward through Lud (works at University) for someone to provide information about the death of the Lambasan Crow.

Ja’Elle may wish to speak with Lokara, female dwarf, former prisoner regarding the death of the Lambasan Crow. He may also wish to follow up with Bella, or possibly not.

Terkent Notes 4-7-2014

Feb 15, 994 9:00 pm (after an extended rest @ University) – the party plans to leave Lambasa in the morning after some investigation and reflection around town…

Ja’Elle let the rest of the party know that he had some business in Lambasa to attend to and would set out a day after the rest of the group and catch up to them in Standhall.

Ja’Elle meets Geran the tailor. His sheath is complete (sewn into the interior pant leg). He pays the 500 g.p. balance and adds in an extra 100 g.p. to motivate Geran to help find out about somebody who can make/sell goggles of the night. Geran is clearly thankful and willing to try to help.

Ja’Elle goes to the Thieve’s Guild and finds out that Knyx is out of town. Dryrry, a female halflign rogue talks with Ja’Elle about shadowy creatures (wisps) that have become competition for the thieve’s guild in town. Bantos II, a high ranking member of the guild lives just outside of town. He hasn’t associated with the guild in some time. Ja’Elle talks with other rogues and gets more information about wear the shadows have been spotted (Infernal Alley and the Theatre District).

Ja’Elle asks about the Lambasan Crow at the guild. Rumors say he was poisoned, assassinated, or maybe killed by a shadow or evil spirit. Rumors say his popularity was growing just be he was killed. He was tired, but motivated to perform. Ja’Elle is told to talk with prisoners. Maybe that will give him more leads. Ja’Elle is asked to watch members Anlow and Malagar (ranger? Scarlet Guard) to make sure they are still friendly with the Thieve’s Guild and to possibly get more information on who to talk to at the prison. He is told to talk to a gremlin named Vaazrus about the goggles.

Ja’Elle goes to Infernal Alley after midnight. He makes a careful approach, then chooses to bluff a drunken stumble, falling to the ground by a guard. He asks where is Malagar and slips the guard a g.p. The guard helps and is discreet.

A street person tries to intercept the halfling. Ja’Elle calls him “Bob” and is able to maneuver away from him after a short conversation.

Ja’Elle reaches Malagar, a bearded Scarlet Guard, who seems down about a lot, almost cursed. Malagar and Ja’Elle seem to both have an interest in making things better in regards to the shadows. After some investigating, Ja’Elle gets a lead on finding a guy with long white hair and pinkish eyes. He also is told to talk two Norris at the prison about talking with prisoners. Ja’Elle buys Malagar a couple drinks and hopes to eventually help Malagar get back out of town and into nature where he seems to belong.

Ja’Elle goes to Neberinzin’s, a dive of a bar in Infernal Alley and meets Gein, the white haired pink eyed freak. Gein tosses a 6’5" man over the balcony. He calls the man Lug. Gein seems to consider himself “leader” of the shadows

Ja’Elle tries to get “in” with Gein or at least bluff Gein. Gein says he wants Ja’Elle to prove himself first. Gein is dealing some kind of drug, that Ja’Elle eventually chews. It’s heat works its way from Ja’Elles teeth, to his gums, to his cheeks, up just past his ears, until Ja’Elle can feel smoke coming from just above his ears. That’s not enough proof for Gein. Ja’Elle is told to find Lug’s friend Jimbo, take care of him, and bring back a piece of him to prove it.

Ja’Elle locates Jimbo, a homeless man, who would have been an easy off for Ja’Elle. Instead, Ja’Elle gives Jimbo 50 g.p. and tells him to leave town, his life depends on it. Jimbo says he agrees.

Before dawn, Ja’Elle goes back to Infernal Alley to an open warehouse with friends from the Thieve’s Guild to try to meet Vaazrus the gremlin. They go underground through a couple of trapdoors and some tunnels carved in stone. A couple of guards are there and make sure Ja’Elle will be safe and be unarmed. Then, they lead him through a locked door and eventually to a room with many gadgets and gizmos :)

Ja’Elle admires the items. Vaazrus (mini = Poog) shows him some pretty sweet stuff. He does have goggles of the night and sells them to Ja’Elle for 21,000 g.p. plist the promise to do a service for him in the future. Vaazrus asks Ja’Elle if he is acquainted with Bantos II, another high roller who could afford the goggles of the night price. Ja’Elle says no.

Ja’Elle goes to meet Norris at the prison and is able to get names of 2 prisoners and 1 former prisoner who is now in Lambasa – all might have information about the Lambasan Crow…

Feb 16, 994 10:00 a.m. (others on a slightly different timeline)
Party Gold = 194,615 g.p.
Ja’Elle owes Vaazrus a service sometime in the future.
Ja’Elle owes the Thieve’s Guild help.
Ja’Elle owes the neogi information about Adalaentar.
Group – Rescue Moonshadow, the elven princess, from King Snurre, the fire giant king (Minor Quest)
Rowena put 100 g.p. reward through Lud for someone to provide information about the death of the Lambasan Crow.

Feb 15, 994 9:00 pm (after an extended rest @ University) – the party plans to leave Lambasa in the morning after some investigation and reflection around town…

Back in Town

• Tyzzer and Rowena head to Lambasa Street Brats (now known as Tursyl’s Fist) to collect info about the death of the Lambasan Crow. Rowena bluntly asks the bartender about The Crow’s death. She doesn’t know much, but says there are a lot of rumors.
• She does offer that it was Rhendlichian elves who killed him. Maybe even Johev.
• There are rumors of elf attacks at the Osrik Stronghold. Tyzzer heads to a table with two dwarves and two humans who seem to be bardish.
• Tyzzer talks to one of the guys who also feels that there is more to The Crow’s death, but he doesn’t know anything. He suggests that we should talk to politicians.
• Bui walks around town hoping to find the Sojourners. He finds someone who gives Bui some new powers and recognition of some dark powers in Lambasa.
• Kissadi is offered a book deal by a librarian at the University. She then barely tolerates a conversation with the elven librarian. The librarian wants us to rescue Moonshadow, the elven princess, from King Snurre, the fire giant king (Minor Quest)

Next Day
• Rowena puts out a reward for info regarding the death of The Crow. Lud is brought back by Kissadi to post money for anyone giving info about The Crow. We give him 100 gp and 10 for his fee.
• Bui shares info about a “shadowy power” in Lambasa.
• Tyzzer sees the guy from last night, Citan. He tells me about a guy who breathes fire called Ven “Drake” Roberts. He’s not a dragonborn. He performs at Infernal Alley as a street performer.
• Bui sees Vale Temeros again. Vale talks about Bantos, who used to be an ally with the Thieves’ Guild, but now folks are not so sure.
• Kissandi sees a pattern of shadows and follows it like a dog to a squirrel. We follow her into a fight?

Fight!
• After the fight, Tyzzer handles the bureaucracy of getting out of fighting on the streets. He has to deal with Van deVries at the palace gate, who vouches for Tyzzer and the group.

Plans
• Tyzzer and Rowena are going to Standhall to stop the giant.
• The others are going to investigate the shadow people in Lambasa.
• If either group does not communicate within a week, the other group will come to find out what’s up.

Bui realizes that the female frost giant commanding the trolls doesn’t seem to want to follow Vaald’s orders. In fact, she starts backing out of the fight. It seems like frost giant chief’s crossbow is a point of contention.

Kissandi flies around the battlefield and does some really badass shit.

All the baddies are dead except for Vaald and we back off and hope the giants who just entered the room will want to deal him justice.

The giants move up, but are clearly torn about what to do.

We try to negotiate:
Bui makes a diplomatic gesture and they seem to be amenable.
Rowena tries unsuccessfully to open the doors we came through.
Vaald keeps attacking, the giants keep placing themselves in strategic places, but don’t attack.
We decide to attack Vaald and continue to try to placate the other giants.

Vaald is killed by Rowena.
Tyzzer offers Grugnor’s crossbow to the female giant and she accepts it.
It seems like the giants and us are cool for now.

Tyzzer and Kissandi follow the giants into the Jarl’s quarters.
The female giant is pissed because her daughter had married Grugnor. She beats Grugnor’s dead body.

Bui, Rowena, and Ja’Elle loot.
Found a locked chest with 5000 gp and a +4 staff of storms (Rowena takes this).

We join the funeral procession as the mother buries the daughter in the ice dome in the Rift. * We wait patiently for hours while they bury her.

We leave out of respect for the giants and head back to Lambasa. Rowena uses a ritual to transport us back to the University.

We meet with Elrilmarioum. We hear there is word of a storm giant desiring to meet us in Standhall. Tyzzer wants to leave for Standhall first thing in the morning.

The party sleeps until 9:00 p.m.

It’s 9:00 p.m. on Feb 15, 994
The party plans to leave first thing in the morning.
Bui will commune with his god to ensure he is on the right path.
Ja’Elle will go to the thieves’ guild.
Tyzzer is interested to learn more about the demise of the Lambasan Crow.
Kissandi awaits the time she is called to thwart Vecna/Orcus once the Shrine to Zehir re-emerges.

The heroes hope to defeat Grugnur and solidify and alliance with Vaald and the frost giants. Grugnur, the lone survivor from the boss fight, is on the move in blizzard form, the heroes in hot pursuit as Rowena rejoins the pursuit.

Grugnur flees through the illusory walls, reentering the ice skull throne room as the party runs to keep up. He continues in blizzard form through the barracks, but Rowena is able to place a portal in front of him and bring him back to the party. Ja’Elle managed to get ahead and scout a little.

Grugnur breezes away again through the barracks and into the cavern of the frozen pools. A dozen glacial fire beetles give a strange light to this room. Grugnur shouts something in giant as he goes through. Ja’Elle spots 2 frost giants in robes carrying staves. As Grugnur crosses the frozen pool, he awakens something underneath. A huge bulette emerges from under the pool. Rowena attacks just before the rest of the party decides to retreat. The dire bulette rips through the ice and burrows up below Rowena. The others come to Rowena’s aid. After 10 or 15 seconds, the giant shamans enter the battle.

Running near empty, Bui is knocked unconscious during the battle by the powers of cold and fire controlled by the shamans. He is near death when Rowena stabilizes him. The bulette is defeated. Grunur returns in blizzard form, commands the frost giant shamans to call in a frost drake. Kissandi leads the charge against the shamans. The drake has a powerful attack but does not last long.

Grugnur makes a final stand. At the command of Tyzzer, Ja’Elle finds Grugnur’s weak spot and delivers the fatal blow. The jarl is dead.

Collecting treasure from the chest in the frozen lake, the treasure vault in Grugnur’s chambers, and the barracks, the party makes a huge haul. Bui gains a +5 (LVL 21) holy symbol. In Grugnu’rs treasure room, there is a crystal communication globe mounted on an 8-foot tall sculpted pedestal of ice. The treasure found includes:

The group returns to Vaald and notice the mangled bodies of the dwarves that were freed by Vaald strewn about the outskirts of the room, several blue trolls, a frost giant, the two large Xorns, and Vaald.

Initially the party cannot tell if Vaald is acting tough for the others who are in the hall or if he has turned on them. After a few party members drop their weapons at Vaald’s orders, it becomes clear to Ja’Elle and then the party that Vaald never intended an alliance with the heroes, that he was just using them to help him come to power here.

The heroes are weak and have little resources left. Vaald has called on their surrender. Rowena picks up her orb and readies to fight…

It is Feb 15, 994 at 5:00 a.m.
Party Gold = 211,385 g.p. (owe Ja’Elle’s taylor 500 g.p. more when receive final product)

The party has fought their way through a swath of frost giants, and now follows the secret path taken by Hasskarth, the fire giant who is said to advise Jarl Grugnur. The group passed an illusory wall. Rowena needs time to collect herself. The others have no time to wait. Inspired by Rowena, the other heroes are able to regain some of their strength and powers. Rowena then hangs back, out of sight, but within earshot of the party.

Kissandi puts on the hat of disguise, transforms into a rock monster, and peers through the other illusory wall. She sees a brightly lit room filled with frozen dwarves and three frost giants. The giants appear to be readying themselves to defend their jarl.

The group coordinates a surprise round as they enter the room. Ja’Elle gets off an attack. The others position themselves closer to the giants. With the surprise round and being much quicker on the draw in this fight, the party bloodies the first giant before he can even act. The giants respond with a fury. The bloodied giant hits Kissandi with a chilling strike. The other two giants pick up frozen dwarves and hurl them at the party. The frozen dwarves shatter into a thousand pieces as they break onto the hard ground.

The heroes make quick work of the first frost giant. The other two giants are unable to withstand the onslaught and overwhelming presence of Ja’Elle, Kissandi, Tyzzer, and Bui.

During the battle Tyzzer peered behind a curtain, noticing a heated room, later discovered to be Hasskarth’s quarters. After the win, the group retreated to these quarters. Kissandi and Bui talked religion outside of the curtain while watching the far curtain for signs of the jarl or his servants. Ja’Elle and Tyzzer went inside to inspect the quarters. Ja’Elle uncovered a trap on the chest, but he was able to disable it. He found a pile of gold coins (5000 gp) and a tube. Tyzzer took the tube and found a scroll written to Hasskarth from Obmi. Ja’Elle had heard of Obmi Ironwhisper before, an alleged traitorous dwarf noble. The note appears to put Obmi as advisor to Fire Giant King Snurre. Tyzzer kept the note.

Kissandi perfectly lobbed a burning torch under the curtains to the next area. It took a little while, but the curtain went up in smoke revealing the jarl’s quarters. Inside were three winter wolves, Hasskarth, Jarl Grugnur, and Svarhilda, a female giant wielding a sweet mace.

After an initial attempt to draw them out did not work, Tyzzer and Bui followed Ja’Elle and Kissandi into the battle. Ja’Elle and Bui each had three or four critical hits in the battle. Bui reprieved violence against Grugnur eliminating two rounds of his attacks. Tyzzer command the battlefield and directed a multitude of extra attacks for Kissandi and Ja’Elle. Kissandi never missed. The heroes stayed conscious throughout the entire battle so far, but are running lower on resources. One by one, the winter wolves were destroyed, enraging Grugnur. Hasskarth and Svarhilda were killed. Grugnur assumed blizzard form and was able to make it past the heroes. We left off as the party pursued the blizzard towards the illusory wall.

It is Feb 15, 994 at 3:15 a.m.
Party Gold = 109,885 g.p. (owe Ja’Elle’s taylor 500 g.p. more when receive final product)

On the Doorstep of the Jarl

Started at Feb 15, 994, at 12:30 a.m.

The battle continues…

Gnotmir enters the room, followed by four frost giants (one was the one who ran out of the room moments earlier). Gnotmir says to his allies to stand down and watch him destroy the invaders. The heroes do significant damage to Gnotmir and the other frost giants join in the battle. During the battle, the frost giants attempt to get to the arcane ballista, but are thwarted by Ja’Elle, who pushes them back and then mans the ballista himself for the rest of the battle. When Gnotmir is destroyed, the tide is turned. The heroes are emboldened, receiving their encounter powers and action points back.

Rowena calls upon the elements to control the battlefield, electrifying the giants and keeping others at bay with a wall of fire. As the enemy is weakened, Bui makes the enemy wilt with his glorious presence, the standard of the silver dragon, and his ability to restore the other heroes strength. Kissandi makes excellent use of her ability to regenerate once per day in this very long encounter. She helps in weakening the enemy as her focus on her oath target pains others who try to engage in battle with her. She continually deals damage to her foes and adds in many more strikes guided by the warlord, Tyzzer. Along with guiding Kissandi to extra attacks, Tyzzer sacrifices himself to prevent attacks from targeting Rowena and Bui. Tyzzer also makes great use of his new frost axe to deliver key blows to the enemy and prevent a lot of cold damage from harming him.

After destroying the enemy, Ja’Elle finds an ice chest by the throne filled with 5,000 g.p., Kissandi notices the wall Hasskaarth walked through is illusory, as is another wall beyond it that likely leads into the quarters of Jarl Grugnur.

The group takes a 15 minute rest.

Tyzzer and Kissandi go to Vaald. Their request to go free Hyrkzag’s ghost by delivering Gnotmir’s sword is granted, but the other three heroes are left behind. After delivering the sword, the ghost is freed, Kissandi is relieved, and the ghost motions in the direction of something glimmering in the rubble. It is a ring. Tyzzer gains a ring of true seeing (LVL 19).

Next time the goal is to find and defeat Jarl Grugnur and his fire giant advisor Hasskaarth, and to cement the alliance with Vaald. The group did not yet search the barracks or the den, the areas from which Gnotmir, and the various frost giants likely came from to enter into the large battle that just ended.

The party gathers back in the Hall of the Iceskull Throne, moving into the hall between the illusory walls. The party moves into the hall between the illusory walls, ready to enter the quarters of the Jarl.

The group is one encounter past a milestone. Many daily powers have been used. Action points may be used.

It is Feb 15, 994 at 2:30 a.m.
Party Gold = 105,085 g.p. (owe Ja’Elle’s taylor 500 g.p. more when receive final product)

November 27, 2013

Starting at Feb 14, 994, at 4:00 p.m.

With a temporary ally in Elektra, the heroes enter the hall of the winterlord named Vaald and his two very large three legged and three armed creatures. Several dwarf slaves chip at the ice sculpture of Jarl Grugnur on the dais in front of the giant double door with a snowflake design.

Elektra is clearly annoyed that the group wishes to negotiate with Vaald rather than attacking him. After providing some digs and a little information, Elektra storms off.

Tyzzer begins communications with Vaald, the frost giant winterlord. The diamond hide corns translate the negotiation. Vaald is willing to ally with the heroes and end hostilities if the heroes overthrow Grugnur, but is unwilling to personally help in the overthrow.

The group convinces Vaald to give them a rough map of what lies beyond the snowflake door, to release the dwarf slaves, and to recommend a location to take an extended rest.

Ja’Elle does some scouting.

The group goes to the Haunted cavern for an extended rest. There, Kissandi is possessed by Hyrkzag’s ghost. Speaking through Kissandi, Hyrkzag tells the party that to give him peace, Gnotmir must be destroyed and his sword presented to Hyrkzag’s body. Hyrkzag served Kvaltigar. Kvaltigar was jarl. Kvaltigar’s bro, Grugnur, slayed Kvaltigar and set him ablaze. Hyrkzag was Kvaltigar’s bodyguard and attacked the other frost giants, only to be killed by Gnotmir before he could avenge his fallen lord. Hyrkzag says he will reward you for freeing him.

The group takes an extended rest and then returns to see Vaald.

Vaald opens the magically locked doors for the party.

The party makes a plan to take on of the arcane ballistas and then teleport over to the other. Haskaarth, the fire giant advisor to the jarl, tells the party to come forth into the center of the room. The heroes surprise the other giants and the battle begins.

The group quickly dispatches one of the two frost giant shield bearers. The other enemies are much tougher to defeat. Tyzzer holds off the other shield bearer as Kissandi and Ja’Elle wade further into the hall. Rowena is able to use Bigby’s icy grasp to help Tyzzer keep the giants at bay.

Ja’Elle tries to knock out Haskaarth and take out the mammoth and rider unsuccessfully. Kissandi is able to weaken the frost giants on the way to the western ballista. Bui’s presence deals the finishing blow to three enemies during the battle.

The giants deal ranged damage to the eastern ballista turret and from Haskaarth. The mammoth tramples Ja’Elle and lots of furniture. At one point Ja’Elle is knocked unconscious and fails one death save. Bui calls Ja’Elle back into the fight. Bui and Tyzzer keep the group motivated and on their feet against a tough enemy.

The heroes destroyed two frost giant marauders, two frost giant shield bearers, and a nyfeller mammoth, but in the end Haskaarth escapes into a secret passage that appears to lead to the jarl’s quarter, the frost giant marauder who manned the eastern ballista turret escapes to the frost giant barracks where Gnotmir and others are as the heroes pursue in this direction.

November 8, 2013

Feb 14, 994 at 1:30 p.m (after a milestone)

Passed the Remorhaz and the two elder blizzard dragons, the party continues deeper into the rift in search of the Frost Giant Jarl Grugnur…

After some exploration just beyond the guard posts and 30 foot high door, Kissandi spots to humanoid sized ice men standing watch. On the second try, Ja’Elle and Tyzzer are able to team up and lift the portcullis six and half feet so the group can enter.

As the party goes beyond the entryway, they are ambushed by an ettin from one side and four frost giants from the other. The battle is challenging. The ice archons are able to send hailstorms onto the party as the large meat shield keeps most of the rest of the party engaged. However, Ja’Elle is able to run underfoot of the giants and quickly sneaks up on the ice archons.

Meanwhile, the rest of the party is tough enough to withstand the best the giants have to offer. Tyzzer’s Axe of the Rift almost nullifies attacks from the frost giant marauders, but the ettin is able to knock Tyzzer unconscious. Bui quickly restores Tyzzer as Kissandi hammers away at the giants while holding the line to keep Rowena at a safe distance. Rowena, on her last bit of energy, continues to singe the frost giants with fire.

Ja’Ellle sends one of the ice archons flying over the small cliff face and knocks the other onto his back. Ja’Elle keeps the ice archon on the cliff based so he cannot continue the ranged assault on the rest of the party. After making quick work of the archon on the cliff, Ja’Elle climbs down the cliff to destroy the second and joins the fray Against the Giants.

The battle is won. The group loots the place and finds a robe of quills, taken by Rowena, and a key. After a little more exploration, the group finds Elektra, a storm giantess, imprisoned.

Elektra says she is the daughter of the storm giant lord Krombaalt. She is clearly unhappy with her father for sending her to deal with these miserable, untrustworthy frost giants led by Jarl Grugnur. In a tense negotiation, several moves by the party help win her over, at least for now. Bui does two key things, surprising Elektra through intimidation, able to stop her in her tracks for a moment. Later Bui uses his healing ways to help others win her back over. Tyzzer has studied just enough history of war to help convince her of the party’s cause. Ja’Elle is able to convince her that the party is more worthy than she thought.

Elektra gives the party some good information and is willing to fight alongside them for one encounter before returning to her father.

Ja’Elle and the group explore a bit more, noticing a room with a raised dais, a statue of solid blue ice carved to resemble a mighty frost giant. In the room are several dwarves hanging from ropes off the 20 foot tall statue, carving it. There are a pair of heavy stone doors carved to resemble two halves of a giant snowflake behind the statue. There is a giant-sized ice chair and a hanging tapestry off to one side. A frost giant with an ice-tipped staff and fur-lined armor and cloak presiding her, joined by two bizarre creatures with three arms and three legs apiece. Each creature has a gnashing mouth atop its stony, egg-shaped body.

The party intends to enter when we next play. The party just hit another milestone.

October 4, 2013

Feb 14, 994, at 9:30 a.m.

The group decided to explore in the direction that the runaway giant went. Not far down the path, Ja’Elle found the frost giant seated on the floor, crying softly. After discovering this frost giant never wanted to fight, the group was able to get some information from him confirming the Remorhaz. He said he would pay up if the group would bring its hide to him.

The group decided to battle the Remorhaz. Using Ja’Elle as bait, the group got it out of its lair and into the open. The frost giant threw axes from the ledge above while the party made quick work of the foul beast. Many daily powers were used, but it only swallowed Tyzzer for a few seconds before Kissandi dealt the death blow.

While some beheading and starting to skin the Remorhaz, Ja’Elle searched the lair and found a dagger of surrounding +4.

From here the party decided to try to get more info from the frost giant. He refused to give information, but paid up with a large ruby worth 1000 gp.

The group let the frost giant live and continued south, finding a gaping pit, some ice toads, and two frost giant guards. The frost giants were posted on ledges 30’ above ground level flanking a 30’ high door with a mural.

After doing battle with the giants and the ice toads, the party was surprised to see not one, but two elder blizzard dragons enter the fray, focussing a lot of attacks on Rowena. After a long, difficult battle, the party emerged victorious, and Rowena alive.

The group searched the dragon lair and found a +4 suit of dwarven chainmail and 15,000 gp in valuables.

The goal has been to find a path towards Jarl Grugnur, but the group does not know if they are going in the right direction to find him.

September 8, 2013

The fight against the ogres continues. Each side does not enter the fire and waits. One ogre is killed with a ranged attack.

Two medium sized winter wolves are spotted sneaking up on the party from behind.

The battle continues on two fronts.

When the winter wolves are hit, they turn into whirling zephyrs of snow and are insubstantial.

The ogres are defeated.

The winter wolves are bloodied, but escape.

The battle continues in a nearby cavern where ice toads re-sound the alarm.

Kissandi makes quick work of four of the five ice toads.

A giant and two large winter wolves enter the fray.

The mass resist cold greatly reduces damage from the winter wolves and the giant.

The winter wolves and giant are defeated, just after another giant escaped deeper into the caves.

Battle highlights:

Ja’Elle’s dagger found the weak spot of many enemies with multiple critical hits

Kissandi’s ability to use lashing blades to damage enemies and repulse others kept her mobile and on the trail of many oath targets.

Rowena’s wall of fire and mass resist were huge assets for the party in the battle. Area attacks also ripped into enemies.

Bui’s ability to demoralize bloodied enemies with his own powers and the standard came into play several times. He also neutered the power of Thurbash, the ogre leader, and healed many.

Tyzzer’s gameplan and commands let Kissandi and Ja’Elle deal a ton more damage. Tyzzer’s use of his new Great Axe of the Glacial Rift came in handy for ranged and melee attacks.

After killing everything but the frost giant who got away, the group searches the dead in the final cave, then decides to retreat, rest, and learn from so many great battles over the past week or two, knowing that with a little training each character will be able to do more.

Ja’Elle comes up with an amazing plan to carefully get areas searched, dwarves saved, and find a safe spot to rest afterwards.

Ja’Elle, Kissandi and Rowena search the area on the ledge, find no treasure, see no action in your quick check below the edge, and move on.

They carefully move on to the alarm toad area and find no enemies. They search the area and find an unlocked wooden chest atop a pile of frozen skulls. Inside there a two sacks of 750 gp each (1500 gp total), a pair of spiked boots (-1 speed, ice walk ability – no slippage), a necklace of finger bones, a handaxe blade (to be used as a hand chopper), a metal helm (clearly used as a bowl for soup), and a wooden spoon.

Then, Ja’Elle remains as a lookout as Rowena and Kissandi return to the ogre cave.

Meanwhile, Tyzzer and Bui return to help set the dwarves free in Thurbash’s cave. Tyzzer finds a chest with keys to unlock the chains that shackle the dwarves, along with a pile of gold (10,000 gp), a skinning knift, old sandals, and a waterskin. Two other alcoves are crammed full of stolen provisions, including barrels of ale and crates of food.

After winning over the dwarves with stories of city life and wisdom gained on the street and breaking the top off some brews, Tyzzer is able to win some key information from Haelin and the other dwarves of Undermountain. They have heard tales of a great bug lizard beast in the ice dome that can swallow giants whole, but know nothing about other locations in the rift. Tyzzer figures that this must be a remorhaz, and plans to avoid it. They offer their thanks for freeing and saving them. They also tell Tyzzer and Bui of an exiled dwarf noble who now serves King Snurre the fire giant chief as an advisor. The dwarf lords want this traitor to stand trial for treason and are willing to pay 250 pp for his capture. Haelin and company ask the heroes to save and return any more dwarves they free back to their homes and families. Tyzzer and Bui escort the dwarves to the entrance to the rift before saying farewell. The dwarves intend to return to the nearest dwarf clanhold, Undermountain. Bui and Tyzzer return to find the rest of the party.

September 1, 2013

The group talks for a bit before deciding to head back up the stairs in an effort to find a way to the frost giants on the ledge above. Before ascending, a booming voice approaches from the north.

Ja’Elle and Kissandi lead the charge into melee against the frost giant skeleton Kvaltigar and Wintermaw, his enormous winter wolf wearing spiked bones on his armor. Finding his weakness to radiant damage and critical hits, the group makes quick work of Kvaltigar. Before his death, he said that he thought the party was sent by his brother, Grugnur, to kill him again. Grugnur is the Frost Giant Jarl. Wintermaw did a lot of damage to those who willingly tried to pierce the bone spikes, but eventually succumbed to the onslaught.

During the fight, the group noticed strange powers bestowed on Kvaltigar when he stood in the blue luminescent haze.

Tyzzer took the Greataxe of the Glacial Rift from Kvaltigar.

The group decided not to follow the tracks left by Kvaltigar and Wintermaw coming from the north in an effort to get to the frost giants watching the ice dome from above.

Ja’Elle scouted ahead. Ja’Elle was able to get an attack off before the frost giants could act. One giant fell 100 feet to the floor of the rift, but survived the long fall. The other frost giant was mobbed by the party and quickly perished.

The frost giant who fell raced up the stairs and was slashed again by Ja’Elle as he ran past to call for help. The group was able to kill him quickly, but not before he had alerted a nearby cave filled with ogres.

The battle continued in the quarters of the ogres. Many dwarves are seemingly kept as slaves in a pit within the ogre den. The ogres, led by Thurbash were brazen as they withstood much damage from a wall of fire erected by Rowena for quite some time.

Thurbash was able to fool the group into thinking ogres were going to get more help. Ja’Elle tried to sneak around to find a back entrance or exit from the cave and was noticed by a frost toad, who started croaking. This set off other frost toads croaking. Ja’Elle returned to the group and let them know that an area with at least a frost giant and a winter wolf was likely aware of intruders in the nearby area.

The heroes have taken significant damage and expended many resources, but know they have learned enough to improve their abilities (by leveling up) when they next have time for an extended rest. A few ogres remain on the other side of the wall of fire. Likely reinforcements will probably arrive to help the ogres soon. The battle continues next time.

July 27, 2013

Feb 13, 994 at 8:30 p.m.

Just after an extended rest the heroes descend into the rift. After moving along a ledge, the group entered a cave, snuck up near some winter wolves, but then woke them up.

Tonight’s game began with combat. The heroes very quickly dispatched the two winter wolves and then two frost giants, one who was a hand axe thrower and the other who fought with an icy great axe. The area was searched, but no treasure was found. It appeared to be an entry guard area. Both Rowena and Kissandi scored two critical hits in this encounter.

Next, the heroes followed some fissures in the icy ground and pathways. Ja’Elle was almost dragged into a pit by icy tendrils, but managed to hold onto the ledge. Bui recalled his ally.

After planning, Ja’Elle and Rowena were able to leap to safety and explore the nearby icy caverns. They found eight humanoids encased in ice as trophies. In a minute, Rowena melted one of the casings, the one with the female elf, then searched her. Ja’Elle and Rowena returned and reported back.

After following the cave passageways further, the heroes found another ledge. Choosing between entering another cave or descending stairs, Rowena convinced the party that the heart of the enemy lie down into the rift.

Descending the stairs, the group noticed many large snow drifts, jagged ice, some blue florescent mist above small areas of the ice and a misty haze through the rift. Rowena melted one of the snow drifts. The rest of the party was a bit distracted. Rowena convince the group to descend further.

Two of the snow drifts were well disguised white puddings, that spouted pseudopods and surprise attacked the heroes, engulfing and digesting them on a few occasions. Fire did extra damage against the white puddings. Every time the puddings were hit by weapons, they split and created another spawn. Despite this difficult battle, none of the heroes were knocked unconscious, but much of the energy and resources (heal surges) were spent in the battle. Rowena and Ja’Elle took care of several pudding spawn. Kissandi and Bui did a lot of damage to the larger puddings. Tyzzer directed many attacks by his allies and was digested twice, taking a lot of damage in the battle. During the battle, Kissandi spotted two frost giants stationed on a ledge 100’ above whose eyes were fixed on an ice dome not too much further to the south. Ja’Elle got a feeling that danger awaited not too far away to the north, too.

As the battle concluded, Tyzzer received a mental message from Elrilmarioum, shared the gist of it with the party and then responded telepathically as part of the sending ritual originated from Elrilmarioum.

June 29, 2013

Between sessions…
Fyrai summons each of the player characters into a small room to receive questions. Based on answers to those questions, each character is given a challenge.

Starting the session…
Feb 9, 994 at 8:30 am
Glint & Tegan both dead are being carted along by the sheep from the stone giants.

In Tyzzer and Ja’Elles’s vision, Tyzzer is a newly crowned king facing many challenges. Ja’Elle tells Tyzzer that this is the chance to take out the dragon. Tyzzer, convinced by Ja’Elle and the Highways and Byways Chair, decides to personally join in an attempt to destroy the dragon, forgoing other threats including finishing the threat behind the giant raids, a seemingly much more powerful threat in devils, and the ongoing concerns about elves.

In Bui & Rowena’s vision, Bui and Rowena make their way through Dis part of Hell. Choking on ash, they make great progress towards a source of power. Bui decides the source of power will be better than his prayers in saving multitudes of lost souls. Near the goal, Bui distracts devils and sacrifices himself so Rowena can reach the power source. Rowena puts on a helm of unfathomable power even though she knows it will not help her free the lost souls.

In Kissandi’s vision, she and Ja’Elle make their way through a crypt full of countless undead. In the name of the Raven Queen, Kissandi heroically takes out several undead before succumbing to the never ending horde.

After the visions, Fyrai and Thorbalt are somewhat satisfied and feel they can trust the heroes enough to share the wealth of the ancient empire with the group. But before sharing, the group must solve some puzzles.

Dragon Puzzle – Thorbalt tells the party that Bahamut will grant you protection if you solve the riddle. The party descends a staircase and enters a square room made of sandstone. The far wall has a 10′×10′ engraving of a dragon head with a black crystal in the center, a red crystal in the top, a blue crystal on the left, and a white crystal on the right. Runes are engraved above the dragon head.

Kissandi, Bui, and Rowena are able to change the color of the rod. The party figures out that using different colors on the rod and touching it to the crystals on the engraving have different effects. Pretty quickly the party is able to turn all the exterior crystals to red. The center crystal is touched. Having solved the puzzle, the stone wall creaks open. The adventurers move into the hidden chambers as the dust settles. A wave of fire engulfs the room and the party. Nobody is hurt. All are energized, gaining the effects of an extended rest and regaining lost healing surges from their earlier visions. Not only this, but Glint and Tegan return to life!

Fyrai is impressed and now challenges the party to three riddles. For each riddle solved, the group will receive an additional reward.

3 Riddles – the group solves all three very quickly.

Riddle One given by Thorbalt:I am all on my own,Wounded by iron weapons and scarred by swords.I often see battle.I am tired of fighting.I do not expect to be allowed to retire from warfareBefore I am completely done for.At the wall of the city, I am knocked aboutAnd bitten again and again.Hard edged things made by the blacksmith’s hammer attack me.Each time I wait for something worse.I have never been able to find a doctor who could make me betterOr give me medicine made from herbs.Instead the sword gashes all over me grow bigger day and night.

Answer: A shield – what you must provide the world

Riddle Two said by Thorbalt & Fyrai in unison:Turn us on our backs.And open up our stomachs. You will be the wisest of men.Though at start a lummox.

Answer: A book – do not forget your studies

Riddle Three given by Fyrai:I am, I’m not. I visit young and old,Some I make timid and some I make bold,Unwise is the one who pokes fun at me.Beware, for I am a shadow of thee.

Answer: Death – will come for all of us, be sure to equip your world to thrive without you.

Rowena comes up with a riddle that stumps Fyrai and Thorbalt. Answer: Teamwork. An extra reward is earned.

Rewards:

A room full of ingots, each worth 100 gp – the group is able to put 100 in the cart (total 10,000 gp)

Lantheon (ancient dragonborn empire) myths/history learned (some from Tyzzer’s memory of his historical studies, some from Fyrai and Thorbalt):
Info: (learned last time with history check by Tyzzer is highlighted in yellow)
Long before Terkent, Rhendlich, Mar-Dir, and all of today’s continents, there were ancient empires. One of those was controlled by the dragonborn who worshipped Bahamut and lived on both sides of what you call the King’s Mountains. Many races existed in peace for many years. It was called Lantheon.

Many lords ruled. There were no kings. The lords needed to rely on one another for trade, for alliance against anything evil, and help in time of need. This worked to varying degrees, mostly very well for quite some time.

The ancient empires were before Millus Adreus and the elven written history on this continent.

For many years, under the rule of the Lantheon lords,there was a general peace and many thrived. It is when secrets crept in that the foundation crumbled, and crumbled fast. Backroom deals were made, leaders tried to preserve their power with better deals and select allies, not considering or sometimes intentionally harming others, even friends. In some cases a blind eye was turned. In others, rulers joined in on the corruption. Soon, many evils that had been for generations repressed, emerged again in strength until the empire collapsed under its own weight. We do not wish to see this happen again, but fear the process has already started over.

Nobody knows the specifics of what led to the corruption that meant the downfall of Lantheon, but there are many guesses, many centered around:

The lords alliances broke down into petty land grabbing and fear

Outsiders penetrated the leadership

Faith in Bahamut dwindled

No matter what led to it, the lords of the Lantheon fell and haven’t been heard of for ages.

Fyrai and Thorbalt tell you they are the current generation of two families that have been set to guard their treasure and knowledge.

They hope to find the clues to the fall of the empire and hopefully one day bring it back to prominence in this land. They hope that you can help restore today’s world.

Choices made

Not to return to civilization to touch base with leaders of the Silver Hand, the Sojourners, the Woodland Justice Network, or any other allies to give and get information. Forgoing checking in with those who sent you on the mission or finding out any more about your mission(s), the group chose to save time and avoid more raids by giants by plunging directly towards the newly learned location of the frost giants.

To go directly to the rift where the frost giants live and attempt to lay waste to them.

To send Tegan (Glaive) back to help Glint return home. They took a dimension door created by Rowena to the university in Lambasa. They were to deposit your money in a safe spot, Glint was to take his pre-determined cut of the money, and Tegan was to walk Glint back to his home near the edge of the King’s Mountains. Tyzzer told Tegan and Glint to tell Elrilmarioum and members of the Silver Hand whose paths they cross that the party is taking the attack to the frost giants at their rift and to tell them the party’s plans.

The heroes know frost giants are strategists and are evil, but do not know precise goals and have no particular quests as they proceed. They presume that the goal is to wipe out the frost giants and are confident in their ability to do this.

It takes three days and nights to traverse deeper into the King’s Mountains before the heroes find the location of the frost giants and are able to locate a cave a safe distance away.

FROSTGIANTINTRO-Your exhausting trek through the King’s Mountains ends before an icy rift that plunges hundreds of feet – a cold and cruel abyss. Steps carved into the north end of the rift split into two sets of stairs that descend the western and eastern faces of the rift, ending at a series of wide, icy ledges. From those ledges, tunnels lead into the faces of the rift. Below each precipice, white mist obscures the bottom of the chasm."

You found a nearby, but hidden cave. You discussed finding a raiding group, but decided instead to approach the rift at nightfall. You waited until night.

The rift is freezing cold with howling winds.

You descended down stairs on the north side of the rift.

Ja’Elle scouted ahead along a ledge slightly to east side of the northern part of the rift, called the group down to a cave face while he investigated.

After hearing two giants playing down a passage to the north, Ja’Elle discovered 2 (?) or more winter wolves sleeping in a passage to the south. The group quietly entered the cave.

Ja’Elle and Kissandi tried to quietly approach the part of the cave with the wolves. A loud crunch made by Kissandi likely woke the wolves…

June 15, 2013

Feb 9, 994 at 8:00 a.m.

Minion Pyramid Scheme & The Hall of Dragons
Ja’Elle & Kissandi each get a boon for their reflections on last episode. Both selected the fortune Let’s Try That Again.

Upon entering the outpost area, the heroes heard the voices of Thorbalt, a dwarf, along with a female cackling gnome. Facing various and plentiful minion enemies, following Kissandi’s quick thinking and advice, the heroes figured out how to deactivate the replenishing of the minion groups and won the fight. Ja’Elle, despite going off on his own and getting separated from the rest of the party survived the encounter. Thorbalt and the gnome escaped. The heroes took 10 minutes to rest and recover before following where they believed the dwarf and the gnome were calling them to go. Through a hall of dragons, the heroes nearly bypassed the trap, fighting an animated colossus head and hand, along with 4 stirge swarms that emerged from the dragon mouths when the trap was triggered as Bui slipped off the rope while trying to stay above the pressure plates.

The group bested the first two of three challenges set forth by Thorbalt and the female gnome. Tegan had the life sucked out of him by stirges and has been added to the cart with Glint, pulled by the sheep. Rowena is ready to rejoin the fray. Everyone else is hurting pretty good. The heroes made it through the minion horde and the hall of dragons. We’ll see what the third challenge presents and if the heroes can earn the trust of Thorbalt and the gnome next time…

KISSANDI’S SECONDPRAYER:

My Lord:

I know that you have a purpose for each of these beings I travel with. They each serve a function- as do I. That is to allow the halfling the opportunity to destroy those who might oppose you. My faith is only strengthened when I am reminded that while two among us lead during times of communication and negotiation, it is I that must take control during times of conflict and challenge.

Thank you for giving me the strength to remind the “Warlord” to think of his lessons to remember how the Trickster works. Thank you also for reminding me to command the priest to let me do looking. Sometimes I wonder if his god has only given him one strength – albeit a powerful one.

I at times believe there is hope for the bald elf, but she too often takes our leave. Is she with us? Please give me a sign.

As far as the little one is concerned, I am continually amazed and know that you have chosen the correct vessel for delivering your vengeance, when I witness him getting himself into and out of trouble. I am honored that I have been picked to be his deliverer.

Please give me strength during our third test.

Forgive me for the brevity of this prayer as we must press on – but this you already know your magnificence.

K

Paused on Feb 9, 994 at 8:30 a.m.
Kissandi retains Let’s Try That Again fortune card, but needs to use it during this side quest.
Glint has been dead a few days. Tegan just died.
One encounter past milestone, three past extended rest.
Current Party Gold: 62,345 g.p. (owe Glint (dead) or his family 6,000 g.p. more after Feb 12; owe Ja’Elle’s taylor 500 g.p. more when receive final product)

April 25, 2013

The group attempted to deal with the tenebrous assassins, but kept their cool to stay on good terms with Thane Arnak and Utanu, the three-eyed stone giant seer.

Venturing to find the ingots with the company of four goats and a small wagon, the group followed the directions of a stone giant and journeyed for four days deeper into the King’s Mountains. Mostly, the group stayed on course. On two occasions, the group got off the path and encountered troubles that presented challenges. Both challenges were easily met, but Glint was killed. His body preserved by Bui, the group continued on. The group left off approaching the presumed destination.

Today’s episode is told through the eyes of a few characters:

Kissandi:
I am Kissandi. I am cool. The Raven Queen is cooler.

The fools from the tenebrous cabal were allowed to live so that I might advance the wishes of the RQ here on Terkent. Soon enough they will feel the fate of her never ending winter.

Once again I allowed the talkers to waste their time and breath. It led us to an exploration through mountain passes. Are those others blind? Oh well. I saw many of the potential problems and even snuck through areas that were of no consequence to the the RQ. When my blade was needed I was more than up to the task. I must admit I find a strange attraction to the woman man Tyzzer. He has allowed me to see weaknesses in our foes defenses that I would have not noticed otherwise allowing extra attacks. Once he even shouted out a flaw as I flew past a gargoyle allowing me multiple attacks. The landing was not very smooth but I am working on that less important feat of skill even as we speak.

Ja’Elle:
As the party made its way toward and into the mountains, Tyzzer went to great lengths to demonstrate his athletic prowess. As impressive as Tyzzer’s displays were, he always found that Ja’Elle was one step ahead of him performing ever so slightly more impressive athletic displays. What’s more is Ja’Elle’s displays added just enough acrobatic panache to wow even the most hard to please audiences.

The gargoyle leader grabbed Rowena and carried her high up to a perch atop a wall. Despite struggling mightily, Rowena was neither strong enough nor limber enough to free herself from the gargoyle’s tightening grip. Ja’Elle saw what was happening, and knew he needed to act quickly to free her. He devised a plan, and sprung into action. His dagger became a blur as he made swift, sweeping attacks. His first attack found its mark, as one of the lesser gargoyles was hit and exploded into countless crystal shards. With lightning speed, Ja’Elle’s dagger was airborne again and heading directly for the gargoyle leader. He never saw it coming, and the sheer force of the weapon plunging into his midsection knocked him off the wall and sent him hurtling toward a crevice in the floor. The gargoyle was able to regain his balance quickly and save himself from what could have been a life-threatening fall, but in the process was not able to maintain his hold on Rowena. She was now free to start launching attacks from atop the wall. Meanwhile, Ja’Elle returned to his position in the shadows to await another opportunity to strike.

The party found itself surrounded by four umber hulks that had burrowed up from below the ground. Thanks to Tyzzer’s keen senses, he was able to alert the party before the ambush could be sprung. Ja’Elle jumped into action immediately in the hope of turning the tables on the umber hulks and catching them off guard. He dashed across the battlefield, taunting each umber hulk he passed. His quick movement and aggressive actions left them bewildered. The three umber hulks that were goaded into trying to attack Ja’Elle wound up attacking themselves instead. Unfortunately, only one of them landed an attack, but Ja’Elle was able to further use the confusion to his advantage as he moved to better position on the battlefield.

Ja’Elle had been waiting for this moment. An umber hulk who was not yet bloodied had left his flank exposed, so Ja’Elle decided to make him pay for the mistake. Moving from his hiding place, Ja’Elle quickly flanked the umber hulk and launched a brutal attack. A well-placed blow rendered the beast unconscious. Ja’Elle then followed up with a coup de grace that dealt devastating damage to the prone enemy.

Tyzzer:
Tyzzer took the lead in the discussions with the Thane and Utanu, and was very diplomatic and kept us in good standing with both giants (although some aggression might have helped us find out more about Utanu’s motives). He was also able to use his athletic abilities and crafting skills to help us navigate the tunnels. In the fights he just did his normal thing: he got pummeled and gave orders.

Current Date and Time: Feb 9, 994 at 8:00 a.m.
Current Party Gold: 62,345 g.p. (owe Glint (dead) or his family 6,000 g.p. more after Feb 12; owe Ja’Elle’s taylor 500 g.p. more when receive final product)

April 27, 2013

Feb 4, 994 ~ 5:00 pm

Group is awarded a milestone for bypassing the gargoyles successfully.

Kissandi confronts Dmitri, a shadowy humanoid who serves Merlian Saar. Kissandi notices markings on Dmitri and asks him if he serves the Raven Queen. Attempting to pull rank on him, Kissandi draws the attention of both of the tenebrous humanoids.

The group decides to have Glint wear the cap of disguise to pass Merlian Saar, who he would recognize, in hopes that Merlian will not recognize him.

Tegan and Glint join the group.

Glint informs the group that the Stone Giants suggested one of two paths, either sneaking by the throne room on an open-faced ledge or going through the gardens and trying to befriend Shoggo and Zorsa.

In an attempt to be fun guys, the group goes to the gardens. Quickly hearing shriekers piercing shrieks the group huddles in the doorway and notices a riot of fungi filling the cavern. Colorful glowing fungi grow on the walls, and heaps of refuse have given birth to towering mushrooms, broad toadstools, and carpets of thick, moss-like mold. Tiny cave crickets and beetles skitter around the garden, and fireflies flit about in great numbers. The cavern is dimly lit by the fireflies and glowing fungus.

The group initiates talks with Shoggo, a hunched male stone giant who wields a moldy great-club, carries a bulky sack, and wears a curtain of black mold as a cloak. Shoggo has various breeds of fungus growing on his head, face, arms, and shoulders. An enormous beetle with wicked mandibles and a large bell-shaped protrusion on its head follows him around as though it is his pet.

After Bui and Tyzzer diplomatically encourage Shoggo that they are there to help, while Kissandi and Bui notice the amazing plant life in the cavern, Zorsa, a female stone giant wielding a glaive, her flesh encrusted with fungus, wearing a breastplate and greaves made of insect chitin enters the conversation. She carries two small crates filled with carrion crawler hatchling swarms.

The stone giants are quickly convinced that the group’s intentions are not to harm the thane, but in fact to help. Shoggo and Zorsa put their lives on the line and give information to the party that provides two options. The first is to convince the thane that they serve the Elder Elemental Eye, because the thane believes he is a champion of the Elder Elemental Eye. The second option is to try to destroy the stone that was unearthed that seems to be controlling the thane.

The group chooses to go into the cavern and try to destroy the stone.

Before the party leaves, the party accepts the giants offer of Deathwort, Spore Bombs, Gorgonband, and Dragonheart Pods. The Deathwort is eaten right away, giving all a 1 item bonus to death saving throws for 24 hours. The Spore Bombs can be hurled as a standard action: area burst 1 within 5; +17 v Fort; 2d65 poison damage and target is slowed (save ends); exploding bomb creates a zone that lasts until the end of the thrower’s next turn – any creature that ends its turn in the zone takes 10 poison damage. The Gorgonbane, when applied to a petrified creature (standard action) restores the creature to flesh after 5 minutes. The Dragonheard Pods are eaten right away and give 10 temporary HP that last for 24 hours.

The group enters the cavern behind the throne room. It is brightly torchlit. Bubbling pools of hissing liquid surround massive columns of rock that support the 50-foot high ceiling. Dangling above the pools are wooden cages, some of which have been eaten away, as if by acid, others of which hold coughing, malnourished prisoners. Curtains conceal exits to the north and west, and 15-foot high ledges overlook the cavern to the north. To the south, the floor plunges into a jagged pit. Four skull-faced phantoms fly above the pit, their ghostly tentacles trailing behind them.

Kissandi uses and action point to charge and obliterate one of the spectral terrors. She notices in the 20 foot deep pit below, a large egg of smooth purple stone with black veins. Rubble surrounds it. Images reflected in the stone’s polished surface are horribly deformed. The stone immediately replaced the spectral terror Kissandi destroyed.

Tyzzer hurries to the rescue of one of the prisoners, leaping across the acid onto the wall, swinging the hanging cage to safety.

Kissandi gracefully tumbles into the pit to damage the Stone of Madness, the Ghal-Thrad. She calls upon the Raven Queen to help remove the power from this stone.

Tegan is ordered to help Kissandi. Ja’Elle scouts the ledges and then hustles to help Kissandi. Bui goes to help Kissandi, too.

Feeling the Ghal-Thrad being attacked, Arnak and those who served him entered the cave from the throne room. Five galeb duhrs were summoned. Bui tossed a spore bomb that slowed all five of them. Over the course of the fight, Tegan destroyed many of the galeb durh, once sliding down into the fissure to smash one.

Arnak threw rocks and did some heavy damage to the party.

Thundergore, the steel gorgon, charged in and did tremendous damage to Bui/Tyzzer. Bui quickly made it so Thundergore could not attack.

Then, Bui significantly reduced how much damage Arnak could do.

With Kissandi and Ja’Elle in the fissure for most of the fight, the spectral terrors tried unsuccessfully to keep them away from the Stone of Madness. With the power of the Raven Queen, Kissandi did immense damage to Stone and helped Ja’Elle find vulnerable cracks in the surface of the stone. Eventually upon Tyzzer’s battle command, Kissandi dealt the final flow to the Ghal-Thrad. The stone exploded damaging all near it, obliterating all the spectral terrors, a couple galeb duhr, and knocking Ja’Elle unconscious.

This couldn’t have come at a more opportune time, as Thundergore was finally going to be able to attack again, and Kissandi achieved the 12th success in the skills challenge while perched precariously with two failures. Another failure would have meant restarting the skills challenge, but this time in the midst of a difficult fight that was going in the wrong direction.

The thane came to his senses and called off his allies from the fight. Ja’Elle was healed.

The group gathered and tried to convince Thane Arnak to fracture the alliance he held with the fire and frost giants. Reminding him the alliance with these evil giants could not be trusted and that living in harmony with the surrounding creatures was important was convincing, but not quite enough to overcome the threats of repercussions from the other giants for fracturing the alliance. Coming very close to convincing him, the party couldn’t quite close the deal. Thane Arnak did make vague promises about limiting the number of stone giants he sends to bolster Snurre, the fire giant chief’s army. He did promise to reconsider his position if Jarl Grugnur, the frost giant leader, is eliminated. The death of the frost giant jarl would be enough to make Arnak sever his alliance with Snurre.

Thane Arnak thanks you for freeing him from the control of the the Stone of Madness and rewards you with his personal treasure. This includes:

He also tells the group that the ignots in his hoard are part of a larger trove hidden in the mountains. He divulges the location of this lost dragonborn trove.

The group asked Thane Arnak if it would be okay to destroy the tenebrous ones serving Merlian Saar. Arnak said that Merlian was coming to warn him of the party’s entry and attack on the Ghal-Thrad and likely were watching the whole thing, probably having fled at this point. Arnak said your dealing with Merlian and the shadowy figures serving him were yours, and he would not stand in the way.

The players level up to Level 15.

Current Date and Time: Feb 4, 994 at 10:00 p.m.
Current Party Gold: 62,350 g.p. (owe Glint 6,000 g.p. more after Feb 12; owe Ja’Elle’s taylor 500 g.p. more when receive final product)

March 29, 2013

Feb 4, 994 at ~ 3:45 a.m.

Quick Recap = Impressing the adamantine dragon Ezevon and two stone giant cavestalkers, you have made progress, avoiding an earth titan and finding the likely villainous peace delegation on the way to the throne room has presumably positioned you much closer to meeting the thane.

Longer Story:
Diplomatic efforts led by Bui were a success with Ezevon who seemed impress by the group’s prowess and their offerings. Information about a better route to the thane was gained. A safe resting place was granted by Ezevon.

We learned Ezevon is allies, possibly even friends with the Thane. The Thane is in the warrens to the SW. The Humanoid group came through but did not leave and Ezevon does not think they were here for peace negotiations (maybe the giants told us this?).

The group took an extended rest.

Tegan “Glaive” was left to recover more fully. He is not dead yet. He’s getting better.

Glint requested more protection, stating he does not have the strength to survive another hit.

After the extended rest, Ja’Elle scouts and Tyzzer talked more with Ezevon.

Ja’Elle gains 6500 gp in numerous coins from the haystacks where the stone giants slept.

The group decides to head south, southwest. Ja’Elle uses the last ungeant of darkvision to scout ahead into a forest of stalagmites. One of the stalagmites is actually a roper and surprises Ja’Elle. Ja’Elle shouts for help. The others come to his aid. Another roper emerges. Two stone giant cavestalkers lob lightning geodes and then regular boulders at the party.

Well into a difficult battle, Kissandi stands alone vs. one crag roper and two stone giants. She uses bracers of speed to weaken the roper enough to allow Bui’s standard of the silver dragon to finish the roper. Ja’Elle and Bui recover quickly and help turn the tide. Tyzzer, on death’s door, survives, too.

Together, Bui & Tyzzer convince the stone giants to stop the fight, that the party did not come here to kill stone giants, but to broker a peace. The stone giants offer to help the party. The group finds a LVL 16 Horned Helm. Tyzzer keeps it for now.

We learned what bad guys are where and the most direct path to the Thane. Gargoyles should leave us alone if the giants are with us. They will help guide us and pass monsters but will not ignore other giants or orders given to them involving us.

We also learned from the cavestalkers that the female stone giant leader may actually be acting on behalf of the thane.

Avoiding a titan, the group takes the route east past numerous gargoyles perched on ledges that blend in well with the surrounding caves and water source. The gargoyles do not attack because of the stone giant escort.

A large block on wheels is moved to the side and the group continues south. The giants do not want to accompany the group as they approach a cavern currently inhabited by humanoids the giants say are working with the thane.

Ja’Elle scouts ahead again and overhears Merlian Saar, a noble from Unrick who was sent on a peace mission, apparently scrying on someone outside of the caves.

Ja’Elle, and soon later the rest of the group minus Glint and the two stone giants enter the conversation with Merlian Saar, his two goliath bodyguards and two female tenebrous (shadowy) creatures.

We think Merlian seems skeevy and untrustworthy. We don’t know what deal he has going on but he certainly isn’t here on for peace negotiations.

Tegan “Glaive” is ready to rejoin us, and we are ready to move past Marlian Saar and his associates…

Current Date and Time: Feb 4, 994 at 5:00 p.m.
Current Party Gold: 51,350 g.p. (owe Glint 6,000 g.p. more after Feb 12; owe Ja’Elle’s taylor 500 g.p. more when receive final product)

March 8, 2013

Kissandi killed the giant, only to see a large adamantine dragon swooping down out of the darkness to bite and grab her.

Fairly quickly all but Ja’Elle were trapped within ten feet of the dragon, Ezevon, and unable to move without the Ezevon’s wings knocking them flat. Ezevon’s ability to fly, his thunderous breath, and his reach continued to keep the party down. Despite this huge disadvantage, slowly but surely, the heroes bloodied Ezevon. Bui and Tegan were knocked unconscious.

Tyzzer, without a heal surge left and bloodied took a big risk and offered the dragon his weapons. After a negotiation, the Tyzzer gave the dragon an amulet, a magical hammer, and his bastard sword. Kissandi gave the dragon a ring of fireblazing. With this, Ezevon accepted, allowed Tyzzer to keep his bastard sword, and flew back into the darkness from whence he came.

Tyzzer waits 5 minutes and then heals the Bui and Tegan. The plan, as the group left it, was to send Tyzzer to talk with the dragon without Ja’Elle or Kissandi, in an effort to gain information about the stone giants.

February 16, 2013

The stone giants meet us on the Kings Road. We tried to negotiate. It didn’t work. It looked like they wanted to fight us. Ja’elle hesitated. Tyzzer charged!

They fight back.

Ja’Elle kills all the big Giants (under the direction and coaching of Tyzzer)
Kissandi kills Krenshar and a Minion.

Bui gets the remaining two minions to surrender.

Bui enters into negotiations vs them, with the translative services of Glint.

Bui offers safety to the minions.

We learn that Belastraya has been put into position to order raids. The Thane is her brother. For some weird reason, Belastraya has been taking more power than maybe she should.

It doesn’t seem likely to Glint that we could diplomatically negotiate with the stone giants. He suggests that we would pretend to represent some other group.

We tie up the two younglings.

Glint and Kissandi engage in deep and meaningful conversation. Glint urges the party to get to the Thane.

A rider approaches. He asks how we are doing. It is Tegan Sell. He was sent by Nan Hornberg to find Tyzzer Zanine. He slaps his horse who runs off. He wants to serve Tyzzer. Stories of our renown have reached Glim. Tyzzer will take him under his wing.

We sleep with the giants.

Feb 4, 994 3am

Tyzzer moves the boulder at the back entrance to Howling Cragg. We move in towards the Warrens. Strength check. Success.

We move towards the lightning.

and then attack it. Kissandi shuts it down. Moves in and discovers Vortices. They attack us.

Tegan and Sara help us out.

We kill the wind.

There is a pile of geodes. 2 small piles of melon sized geodes.

And then Primus!!!

Kissandi soothed the sheep with a 33 nature check.

The stone giants are in the sheep room. We leave. The stone giants intimidate the sheep.

FIGHT

Using the tunnels of the warrens, the electric stalagmites, and some decisive tactics, the heroes seem to have an advantage against the stone giants. However, Glint has fallen again and piercing shrieking from the dark western room could mean that this battle is not won yet…

February 1, 2013

ENTERINGTHEWARRENS
February 1, 994 at 11:00 p.m.

• We enter the warrens
• Ja’Elle scouts and see to the east is a large cavern with stalagmites emanating lighting and bright light. The cavern crackles with electricity (and danger!!!!)
• There is darkness to the west.
• Ja’Elle uses one of the unguents of darkvision so he can see in the dark. (Last for an hour)
• In the dark cavern there are two stalagmites. Farther on, there is a ledge. To the north there is a large stairway.
• We need some action. I’m starting to feel like I’m writing an old school text adventure.
• Ja’Elle hears bleating up the stairs, and there’s light up there.
o He checks it out and it’s sheep and carts and stuff. Seems like raid spoils.
• We head over to the ledge in the dark.
• Something up on the ledge shrieks and attacks Ja’Elle and misses.
o We retreat and the thing keeps shrieking for a while.
• We decide to head up the stairs and pretend that that’s what we meant to do all along.
• We all see the bleating sheep and carts with merchant emblems.
o Tyzzer recognizes the emblems as from the nearby towns of Pontatana and Ibium.
• Some more scouting.
o Ja’Elle finds a room with something in it that he can’t hear.
• We go up the stairs.
• We enter a hallway lined with large dour stone giants heads about 15-18 ft. tall. It goes both north and south from here.
• Bui, Tyzzer, and Glint do some dungeoneering and decide to head up and north.
• Ja’Elle goes ahead and we follow.
• At the top of the stairs, Ja’Elle sees several stone giants in front of a dais and throne. One of them is a stone cold chick. There’s also a really big boar. And a fluttering curtain – gotta watch out for that.
• Bui and Tyzzer try to talk to the woman giant.
o We say that we are advocates for the local towns of Unrick and Clan Ironcrown of the dwarves. She doesn’t like that we bring them up.
o We continue to talk to her, but she is not happy that we have invaded her Warrens.
o Negotiations inevitably break down and one of the guard/advisors goes inside to get more giants to hurt us. Clearly she will not be convinced with diplomatic efforts.
o We learn she is the Castellan of Howling Crag, meaning she is in charge while the Thane is gone.
o Looks like we’re gonna fight.
• Belastraya is able to teleport/meld into the stone of the cavern.
• Kissandi goes after Belastraya
• Ja’Elle gets himself surrounded by 5 stone giants and starts doing some damage.
• It seems like the other giants are not as fervent as Belastraya
• Bui finally intimidates the other giants into letting us flee, but they still have to follow Belastraya.
• We flee.
• Belastraya reappears and commands the giants to attack.
o They do.
o We run.
• Everyone stumbles a little bit on the way out, but with Tyzzer’s encouragements, Bui’s deterence of the enemy, and Kissandi’s and Ja’Elle’s guidance, we make it through the first section.
• We continue to hustle out of the Crag, and everyone contributes to the escape.
o This time, Tyzzer knows which way to slide the door and throws it open for everyone to get out. He flips off Ja’Elle (in a friendly way) as he passes.
• Plans:
• Sneak back into the Crag?
• Wait for a raid on a merchant caravan and question them?
• We decide to wait for them to come out the main entrance to ambush a raiding party with the intent of questioning one of them about the Thane.
• One day passes.
• A raiding party appears in the middle of the night.
• Tyzzer and Bui address them.
• They demand we all show ourselves.
o We do, Ja’Elle hesitantly.
• Negotiations aren’t going well.

Now February 3, 4 a.m.
Gold = 45,500 g.p. (owe Glint 6,000 g.p. more at end of two weeks of service at end of Feb 12, owe Ja’Elle’s taylor 500 g.p. more when receive final product)

January 26, 2013

Jan 21, 994
6:00 p.m.
Current party loot = 38,901 g.p.

After bursting into the ancient temple, discovering recent human sacrifice/bloodletting that appears connected to a magic circle and a likely escape by teleportation of the Imix followers, the group quickly makes sure this level is safe. Ja’Elle detects distant voices, down a stone, spiral staircase, well below the earth.

Bui uses a ritual to redistribute the party’s heal surges. Kissandi and Ja’Elle search the dead from the previous encounter. Tyzzer is given the loot found including a Ring of the Crimson Sun (LVL 14) and a Flame Rose consumable (LVL 10).

The group is refreshed and ready to descend the well worn spiral staircase to the crypts below.

Ja’Elle scouts ahead in the dark. After waiting fifteen minutes, the others go to look for him. Kissandi lights a torch. On the second level down into the earth, Kissandi is able to discern how to track Ja’Elle using light footfalls in the dust.

Before reaching Ja’Elle, the noise made by Kissandi and Tyzzer has woken some moaning undead who approach the party from the darkness of the crypts.

Ja’Elle hiding in the shadows, unnoticed by the zombie, lets one go by. After a zombie rips Kissandi’s flesh, causing ongoing pain, Tyzzer directs Kissandi’s attack and she sets slashes the zombie so hard that it explodes and takes out another zombie in the explosion. Bui is attacked, but is able to quickly destroy another zombie.

The zombies do not last long and the party is reunited.

A dense fog blocks light into another area of the crypts. Scouting ahead again, Ja’Elle enters a shrine and workroom. Edgar mumbles incoherantly to himself, using a sickle to rip apart the flesh of a recently dead victim. Two howling spirits float nearby. Several gravehounds appear to circle and tear at the flesh of other newly dead victims on the floor. Two coffins stand nearby.

Kissandi follows and is quickly attacked by the gravehounds. Bui and Tyzzer join the fray.

The gravehounds do not last long. Edgar was quickly attacked by Tyzzer, who then gave effective orders to Ja’Elle and Kissandi to surround and attack him, too. Radiant energy and damage from the Raven Queen and Fharlanghn seem to temporarily interrupt Edgar’s crazed joy in mutilation. Before Tyzzer directs Ja’Elle’s killing blow, Edgar calls out and a mummy opens one of the coffins and enters the battle.

The mummy sows fear and pestilence. He calls for the heroes to leave his crypt and enfeebles Kissandi. All within 25’ of the mummy have reduced defenses and are slid whenever starting their actions.

Bui temporarily stops the mummy from being able to attack.

In less than a minute, the heroes heavily damage the royal mummy. Ja’Elle lands the final jab.

A search of the area uncovers amazing gems in the mummy’s coffin and a hidden note under Edgar’s worktable. Edgar was clearly a follower of Orcus and others had brought him their recently dead to work on. It appears the heroes put an end to that operation. Hehe.

Leaving the cemetery, Vinny nervously approached the heroes, impressed and a little scared. He invited them back to his farm.

Vinny’s parents seemed surprised to see adventurers and were clearly protective of their farm and children. The heroes were kind in word and deed. Kissandi gave the family a gemerald. Ja’Elle began teaching Vinny and his brother to juggle. Tyzzer, Bui, and Ja’Elle all gave good advice to Vinny’s father, who was worried that Vinny may leave the farm to adventure.

After a good meal and rest for the night, Kissandi finally shook off the mummy’s curse and regained her strength. Not only that, the entire group leveled up. Ja’Elle gained confidence in his athleticism and acrobatic ability. Kissandi got a lot more durable, having survived many harrowing experiences. Bui has better honed his skills of intimidation. Tyzzer has learned enough through experience and his readings to Enter the Crucible and resist 10 damage and not be weakened for one encounter per day.

The heroes realized that this family has been different in that they were completely good, with seemingly no bad intentions, unlike so many others the group had recently encountered. Ja’Elle put a mark of the thieve’s guild on the door as a sign to look out for and protect this family. As the group left the farm, they reentered the capital city, civilization appeared starkly less civil than Vinny and his family.

In Lambasa, the heroes split up. Ja’Elle went to talk to rogue’s and leatherworkers to try to have improvements made to his clothes. Kissandi and Bui sought to find a fresh scent on the trail of Mulligan Finch. Tyzzer looked for Atli or another member of the Silver Hand to alert them that the heroes felt the cult activity in the capitol was more pressing than the giant raids.

Ja’Elle had some success, but will need to return in over a week and see if the work is done to his standard.

Kissandi and Bui went back to the storefront, to the hidden door in the alleyway that led to the basement where the ritual was performed, and eventually to Elrilmarioum at the University. They found there was little recent activity. Mulligan Finch is nowhere to be detected. The only recent clues were leading to the cemetary, temple, and crypt that the heroes just saved. It appears the heroes averted a likely undead attack on the city. It also appears that the scent of the Imix cult activity has gone further underground over the past couple days.

Tyzzer met Lyrie Akenja and her white cat. Lyrie, a member of the Silver Hand, and a scholar, advised Tyzzer to follow his brain and not his heart and to take Sarax’s advice. She said she understood why Tyzzer wanted to deal with the cult and wouldn’t stop him, but hoped he would see why Sarax had selected the heroes to deal with the giants. Tyzzer suggested to Lyrie that the Silver Hand might join with the WJN to form a larger network of allies.

The group met back up. Before leaving town, the group was able to appraise the jewels and gems from the mummy’s tomb, and found them valued at 14,000 gp.

Meeting Atli the next morning, the group sent word to Nan that they would meet him in Unrick as quickly as their phantom steeds could carry them. Atli provided a map of the area they were going to from those who had recently shared the location of Howling Crag.

After four days of travel, the group met Nan Hornberg in Unrick. After sharing past experiences including the hill giant steading stories, Nan advised the group to hire one or more henchmen to translate giant to common. He told the group it was important to stop the stone giant raids, but the goal this time was to fracture the alliance, not necessarily destroy all the stone giants because normally stone giants are not evil. Something seems to have changed recently at Howling Crag with the stone giants led by Thane Arnak.

He advised the party to talk with Unrick locals about a recent delegation sent to Howling Crag, to talk with elves in Darkgleam military encampment in the Mystic Forest who were recently attacked by the giants, and to dwarves in Ironcrown who may know more about Howling Crag.

The heroes went to Darkgleam first and met with Lyfalia, a female elf. The group gained a minor quest from her to retrieve the battle standard, atop which is a golden falcon. The elves take it as a sign of ill omen that the falcon was lost. Return it if you can. Bui asked about the WJN in the open, and Lyfalia seemingly upset left. Tyzzer tried to make things right, but the group was unable to gain any more insight at Darkgleam.

Next the group returned to Unrick, met an elder dwarf by the name of Glint. Glint gave the party another minor quest, saying that a delegation sent to negotiate a truce with Thane Arnak never returned. The group included a human noble named Merlian Saar, his two bodyguards, and their guides, a pair of goliaths. Find and rescue any survivors. Glint was hired as a translator and he tagged along with the party.

Next, the party made their way to the dwarven clanhold Ironcrown. The dwarves, until recently, had good relations with the stone giants under Thane Arnak and hoped those could be restored. But, now many were worried.

A couple dwarves were convinced that Arnak still commands the giants of Howling Crag, but feared that a dark influence has persuaded the thant to act against his better nature. A couple other dwarves said that half a year or more ago, Danica Stonesong, a dwarf from Ironcrown, went for business to several locations including Howling Crag. She hadn’t returned and they didn’t know if she ever made it to Howling Crag, but said that the dwarves and stone giants had generally good relations for decades until quite recently, and hoped to restore the good relations with the stone giants.

The group used streetwise, diplomacy, and their studies of history to uncover that the giants always have a roc-mounted sentry watching the road to the crag and the environs around it. It’s nearly impossible to avoid notice while approaching the crag. The group also learned of a secret tunnel north of the crag.

After considering three possible entry options, the group established a cave just outside of sight of the area of Howling Crag and made their way to the secret tunnel at night.

Under the cover of night, the group found a boulder. After some effort, Tyzzer with the help of others was able to move it enough so they could enter.

Tyzzer, mustering all his might, pushes against the wall. Despite much grunting and foul language from Tyzzer, the wall refuses to move even slightly. As Tyzzer is doubled over and gasping for air, Kissandi inspects the wall more closely and discovers handholds ten feet above the ground. Glint whispers something to Ja’Elle. Ja’Elle steps up to Tyzzer and asks, “Would you like me to get that?” Tyzzer, thinking the halfling must be kidding or delusional, barely even looks up to acknowledge him. In a blink, Ja’Elle has scrambled up onto Kissandi’s shoulders. From there, he pulls gently and the wall slides out of the party’s way. Ja’Elle looks down to see an astonished expression on Tyzzer’s face. Ja’Elle crosses his arms smugly and smiles.

As Tyzzer looks on in amazement, he only then notices a sign on the door. He rolls his eyes and slaps his forehead, when Glint translates the solitary word: “Pull.”

The warrens opened up before the heroes…

It is now Feb 1 at about 11:00 p.m.
Total party loot = 52,000 g.p. (SUBTRACT cost for Ja’Elle’s taylor, etc. and for Glint)

January 11, 2013

Jan 17, 994, 10 pm (38,901 gp)

Arriving back near Lambasa, with two days for an unwanted mission from PR III to find out about the local elf network to save Rowena, the four reenter the capitol. Seeking information, Bui meets with Vale Temeros. Vale alerts Bui of a dragonborn seeking us. We give some money to a nearby barkeep who sends two halflings out to find this dragonborn. One returns with Atli. Atli has a lot to say: “I heard you were here, but when I arrived you were nowhere to be found. Word came to the Silver Hand that the Steading fell by your hands, but you had been captured. Then we heard you had been seen in Lambasa. Sarax sent me to let you know you are needed.

The mission you accepted, against the giants cannot be delayed further. Delays lead to more towns, farms, and civilization being laid to waste. We fear destruction by the giants will escalate even further if you don’t act quickly.

We have learned a about the location of the Stone Giants. We believe those serving the giant hordes come from Howling Crag. We gained the information about this from dwarves who live near the King’s Mountains, who you helped. The Stone Giant Thane Arnak is the least likely to join the other giants. However, Stone Giants have emerged from Howling Crag to join the rampaging hords. The dwarves are convinced that Arnak still commands giants at Howling Crag, but fear a dark influence has persuaded the Thane to act against his better nature.

Check in with those communities around Howling Crag that still remain and with Nan Hornberg, who will meet you in Unrick. Before you leave, send word to Sarax, so he can get word to Nan and ensure he is there to meet you when you are to arrive.

Javok found us. He recognized the silver cufflink worn by Rowena. Where is she? Javok said he did all he could and put his life at risk a couple of times to keep you alive and to bring us what news he could."

The group goes to Elrilmarioum at the University.

Elrilmarioum feels that the Woodland Justice Network needs Laeralin back, but advises against giving PR III any names of any council members, including Leogrator. When told of the actions of the Imix cultists in town, he asks the party to help with that problem. The group hesitates to do this right away because of Vale’s advice to not fight on the streets or in city shops.

After a good night’s rest at the University, the group spends the better part of the next day and a half plastered. In a moment of clarity, Tyzzer attempt to return to the castle were thwarted when he found it closed and heavily guarded.

Returning to the spot in the woods used last time, the group was transported back to PR III.

After PR III thanked Bui for sharing information about Leogrator and the 12 person WJN council, he told them that someday he and the party would be allies. Then, Zarenthal returned and transferred the party with Rowena back to just outside Lambasa.

The group took Rowena back to the Elrilmarioum at the University, so she could recover and regain her strength by communing with Corellon and all the beautiful art at the University.

After receiving and following council from Elrilmarioum on how to best proceed quietly in Lambasa while trying to thwart the Imix cult, the group returned to the secret entrance to the basement under Bamrah’s. Ja’Elle scouted and then the group descended two flights of stairs and entered the room together.

Upon entering, at first glance, it is a nearly empty room. Only one figure remains, tied to a wall. Ash covers the floor, nearly a half foot deep in front of her. Tied into charred ropes, a humanoid, severely tortured hangs limply on the wall, still lightly weazing … her wrists, where the ropes are still tied are severely chaffed, almost aglow…clear lash marks all over her body, neck bleed, weep, and have a similar almost fiery glow. As Kissandi and Tyzzer hustle towards her, she says “no…it’s too late for that.” Then her body almost takes on a life of its ow and she says, “the others… the others… they are monsters… they are lost… destroy me… you must… you… you will know what to do… follow the symbols and colors to help others.”

Kissandi cut the ropes that held her, quickly prayed over her, realizing she was transforming from life to undeath. After giving her a quick death, Kissandi prepared her body and ended the transformation.

Searching the room, the group found Drawmig’s Instant Summons Ritual laying amidst the ash and 1 Potion of Vitality and 1 Elixir of Fortitude LVL 13 in a nearby sack.

The group also found geometric symbols and colors (blues, yellows, reds), in some sort of a pattern. Using prayers and perception, the group uncovered this must be directions to another location where the cult might be found. Kissandi prayers to the Raven Queen led to the symbols sparking. Bui was able to discern that sparks pointed west, but the group could not figure out enough to go on from just the clues.

Next, the group went to a Pelor shrine on the west side of town. With the help of a female dwarf cleric, the party was told that their was an abandoned old temple two miles west of town. Kissandi left so fast that all the dwarf cleric saw was a cloud of dust.

The group headed west, through some farmsteads, reaching the not-so-abandoned temple when Kissandi spotted some movement by a nearby scarecrow. A small boy, no more than eight years old was trying to watch what was happening through the fence and in the graveyard. Quickly the attention of the party turned to a graveyard with numerous skeletons and zombies rising from the graves in the nearly frozen earth.

Kissandi, servant of the Raven Queen, seeing servitors of Orcus mocking death and all that is sacred, flew into battle. Initially met at the entrance gate, Kissandi and Ja’Elle were able to move freely about the battlefield throughout the battle, and seemed to have a 10-15 foot shield between them and their enemies because of Ja’Elle armor of repulsion and Kissandi’s ability to push away her enemies. Tyzzer and Bui held fast at the gate, protecting young Vinny, the boy who watched in amazement and fear as the heroes helped rid the cemetery of so many vile monsters.

Kissandi using a sort of black magic, destroyed many of her foes with radiant powers and drawing the majority of their focus and their attacks. Kissandi destroyed the wrackspawn that momentarily trapped Bui in an extradimensional space inside of itself.

Ja’Elle dealt a ton of damage and the killing blow to the Deathpriest of Orcus. He also destroyed the wrackspawn that had weakened Bui and Kissandi. He leaped over a fence to flank a wight near the end of the fight.

Bui called upon the god of travel to empower his attacks with radiant energy, damaging and destroying undead. His power to heal all of his allies, but Kissandi more than others kept everyone on their feet and the monsters at bay.

Tyzzer stood tall, protecting Vinny while commanding the battlefield, giving Kissandi and Ja’Elle great advice on how to land damaging hits to the enemy and using inspiring words to renenergize his allies.

When the dust settled, the heroes destroyed eight zombies, seven skeletons, three sparks (small fire elementals), two wrackspawn, two Orcus cultists, and a Deathpriest of Orcus. A few other undead retreated including two blazing skeletons and a regular skeleton, along with two cultists (likely Imix), a salamander archer, and a firey humanoid leader-type. By the time the heroes overcame their foes and entered the temple, it appears the enemies that fleed were gone.

The temple contained what appeared to be a magic or teleportation circle that had been defiled by the blood of two cultists who appeared to have had their blood spilled all around the magic circle on the floor.

The heroes have just entered the temple as the encounter continues next time (no short rest yet).

Vinny’s fear has been replaced with awe and inspiration. His families farm may soon be safe again…

Time = January 21, 994 at 6:00 p.m.
38,891 gp
Distributed two potions found this session & ritual

December 28, 2012

January 16, 994 at 8:00 p.m. (38,913 g.p. in party loot)

Rowena is held captive. The group is hummingbird free, has already uncovered some “mundane” information about the Scarlet Guard in Lambasa, and plan to meet by 6:00 p.m. on January 17 in the woods west of Lambasa, at a specific location given in the hummingbird note.

As the group approaches the city gates and see elves being checked, they realize that they weren’t checked these past days, since being sent on this mission. That is not true today. Kissandi slips by with her hat of disguise. Bui’s ID is given a thorough check before the party enters Lambasa. Bui asks the Scarlet Guard helping with the ID check if he knows Dunvan. No dice.

Once inside the gates, the group splits up. Ja’Elle looks to the local Thieve’s Guild for information about PR III. Kissandi goes to the University in search of more knowledge about Imix. Bui and Tyzzer begin their search for Dunvan by looking for Scarlet Guard at familiar taverns.

With leads from fellow Thieve’s and payment to said thieve’s for their services, Ja’Elle followed a trail of information, eventually leading to a woman and two of her friends in a bar. After confronting the women, Ja’Elle continued to follow the chain of command upwards until it reached a man by the name of Mulligan Finch, a man who owns and runs a local robe and cloak store on Infernal Alley. Ja’Elle snuck in overnight, found a backroom with a man sleeping, held a dagger to his throat and gathered more information. Ja’Elle needed to wait until morning until Mulligan Finch would return, a man with a long white beard. Ja’Elle mentioned PR III to Mulligan Finch, left and then tried to scout the building. Over an hour later, he followed a man (the man he held a knife to last night) back to what seemed to be his home. After returning and continuing to scout the store, eventually Ja’Elle noticed Kissandi, Bui, and Tyzzer walking Infernal Alley, seemingly looking for him.

Meanwhile, Kissandi uncovered a book with a chapter on Imix in the University library. With some help, she was able to discern some information about Imix. To learn more, Kissandi took time to uncover some shadowy figures. With some keen observation and the ability to improvise, Kissandi was able to gain access to a basement game of cards. She endured an initiation beating by a large thug at the behest of a small, squeaky man. By about 5:00 a.m. Kissandi convinced the group that she was trustworthy and they took her to a ritual sacrifice by fire, two levels below a place called Bamrah’s. Kissandi, with a flare for the dramatic said let’s take this to the street and then made an effective escape. A little later, Kissandi met back up with Tyzzer and Bui.

Tyzzer and Bui returned to the Dire Gar. There, they met a familiar member of the Scarlet Guard, Hagar, who Tyzzer spoke with the other day. Noticing they upset him when they brought up the names of those mentioned by Van Devries (Dunvan, Malagar, and Fech), they asked why? He said that Malagar was disgraced, but he did not know the other two. Talking to a few others in the Dire Gar and another bar, Tyzzer and Bui got shoulder shrugs, confused looks, and a few others who had no specific evidence but concurred with Hagar that Malagar’s name was not well thought of here. Tyzzer and Bui hoped others would come to them with information and hung out in the bars. Then, they returned to the inn and met up with Kissandi.

Kissandi told Tyzzer and Bui about the ritual sacrifice. They wanted to right this wrong, but wanted to find Ja’Elle first. It took quite some time to find him, or really for Ja’Elle to find them. When Ja’Elle noticed them walking Infernal Alley looking for him, for a little fun, Ja’Elle relieved Tyzzer of a jeweled scepter from their last journey into the Steading. Ja’Elle quickly returned it, saying, “sir, this must have slipped out of your pocket,” with a smile on his face.

The group shared stories. Ja’Elle and Kissandi realized that Mulligan Finch, the owner of the robe and cloak store was also present and seemingly leading the ritual sacrifice by fire that Kissandi witnessed.

A plan was made. The group surrounded the cloak and robe store. Ja’Elle unlocked the two back doors. Kissandi, wearing the hat of disguise entered, talked briefly with Mulligan Finch. Finch quickly summoned help, the large cultist from the night before and slipped out a door to a back room. At the one minute mark, the group burst in through the doors. Ja’Elle closed and locked the front door. Kissandi and Ja’Elle made quick work, killing the cultist in less than 10 seconds, before he could make an attack. The group searched the first floor in seconds and found Finch was gone. Kissandi quickly noticed a section of the floor with a secret door.

Quickly and clumsily the group hustled to the dark lower level. Kissandi was able to find fresh tracks. Following the tracks led to a room with what clearly was a teleportation circle, recently used. Mulligan Finch had escaped, but his identity is now known to the group.

While trying to deactivate the portal, Kissandi prayed to the Raven Queen. Receiving a clear message that she, Kissandi, was on an angelic mission, it is her duty to prepare the dead for their journey while protecting them from undeath, to punish those who seek to escape death, and to find if there is truth that Imix has sought an alliance with Orcus and/or Vecna. Ja’Elle, Tyzzer, and Bui were able to do a little damage to the portal, but it is clearly still functional.

Kissandi hurried upstairs and began a process to prepare the dead cultist’s body for death, using a couple of coins to cover the eyes. The rest of the group tried to hurry her along, but were soon convinced to help her prepare the body, however disgusting a job it was to do.

With only an hour left before needing to depart for the woods, the group decided to go a couple blocks down the street to Bamrah’s to right the wrong done at the sacrifice the night before. While Ja’Elle snuck around and picked the lock to a concealed entrance to the lower level, a man intentionally got Bui’s attention. Bui followed the man he had never met, but recognized as a friend. He was Vale Temeros, a dark skinned member of the Sojourners. Vale advised Bui of the help the Sojourners provided to keep their last encounter in the storefront unnoticed, but that would not be possible if they continued killing others during the light of day on the busy street.

Bui was easily able to convince the others to hold off on raiding the location of last night’s sacrifice.

Kissandi noticed a person that must have been following the group for the past day and a half, a bearded man. Kissandi confronted the man. Soon, the man named Kerrigan was surrounded by the party in the middle of Infernal Alley, a busy street with lots of businesses and bars, known for its high level of crime and higher numbers of city guards.

Quickly intimidated, Kerrigan told the party he was paid well by Alepup and by Mulligan Finch to observe for them. Bui, through a feat of diplomacy was able to convince the group not to kill or cut out Kerrigan’s tongue. Bui sent Kerrigan away believing Kerrigan was convinced to change his ways.

Tyzzer sprinted to the castle and requested a quick meeting with Van Devries. Tyzzer disclosed everything to Van Devries, but during the conversation was disturbed by Van Devries’ reaction and now believes Van Devries is part of the problem and possibly part of or connected to the Imix cult.

Tyzzer made it just on time to meet the group in the woods as the teleporter activated and brought the group back to PR III.

The group, still armed, appeared back in the jail cells. After a short discussion with Zarenthal, PR III returned flanked by two fire archons.

PR III has one more mission for the group, to find information about the local elf network. He seems set on making an alliance with the PCs. He told the group they are not much different than he and that by sparing their lives, he realized they could be a powerful ally in the future.

PR III sees himself and the group as more than pawns in a game controlled by leaders or gods, but instead as those who should oversee things and make a more perfect world together. According to the group, his views of a more perfect world don’t seem to mesh with the group’s. He disagrees.

Rowena, unconscious but alive, was dragged in upon request. During the discussion, Bui recalled ally, bringing Rowena into the cell with him. He healed her and asked if she was okay.

Over the last day, the group learned:

PR III works with the Imix cultists, but is not a religious fanatic.

the Imix cult has run wild in Lambasa.

Tyzzer no longer trusts the Scarlet Guard, even at the highest level (e.g. Van Devries).

The hope is to free Rowena. They have two days to fulfill PR III’s next mission.

The teleporter takes them back to just outside the city walls of Lambasa.

Scene One:
Start Time: Ja’Elle & Rowena 8:00 a.m. on Jan 12, 994
Javok leaves, saying he will be back in over a week, likely a week and a half or two with allies who can help return to the Steading. Ja’Elle and Rowena take an extended rest.

Scene Two:
Start Time: Kissandi, Bui, & Tyzzer unknown
As you awake, cold and without your armor or weapons in separate prison cells, you see a burst of light zoom across the sky. A male tiefling with a scar under his right eye, and a dark cloak and cape enters the hall and talks with the group. After the tiefling leaves, the group is introduced to PR III. He enters, flanked by two fire archons. After noting how impressed he has become with the exploits of the PCs despite their going counter to some of the work he has been backing, he tells the PCs he has spared their lives. He says he wishes to make an alliance with the PCs and to test them simultaneously. He has Ja’Elle returned to an adjacent cell and then shows the group a hooded and bound Rowena, whose life he holds in the balance. The group is told to choose two of three missions, accomplish them, and her life will be spared. The choices are noted below.

Story notes – PR III, tiefling tough guy, Zarenthal (magic circle), and some fire archons visit the captive PCs - PR III has spared the PCs lives and plans to enlist them or form an alliance with them. He gives the group a choice of fulfilling 2 of 3 missions. Rowena’s life is being held in the balance. All missions involve infiltrating a group and returning with names of important individuals in each group. The options are: Scarlet Guard, local elf network, and the Sojourners. The group chooses the Scarlet Guard and the local elf network. 2 mechanical hummingbirds are sent with the group presumably as spies or a way for PR III and his forces to view the PCs actions, the group is teleported via magic circle by Zerenthal to just outside of the capital, Lambasa, to start with the Scarlet Guard.

Rowena’s Story – captured while trying to keep track of Ja’Elle on the scouting expedition to the Steading, held hostage by PR III who said she will be killed if party does not complete their two chosen tasks.

Ja’Elle’s Story – scouted Steading, lost Rowena, back to cave, Javok returns much earlier than expected with a group that he says will value what you offer them but assures you can help you find your friends, Ja’Elle is captured by 20+ cultists & knocked unconscious (betrayed by Javok?), reunited with party in prison cells, in Lambasa with spy hummingbird, distracts bird with help of Kissandi, writes note, seeks and finds Knix, Knix has other rogues mug Ja’Elle – smash mechanical bird to bits – put under a barrel and spike the barrel into the ground, pays Knix with leather armor +3 & hires him to set up hits on Bui and his spy bird (Bui repels all attempts), stays away from meetings, getting info from thieves guild, so not to be seen by the other bird, eventually reunites with party outside of town after Kissandi gives the all clear in the birds. He prefers not to return to PR III, and plans to research PR III over the next 22 hours.

Kissandi’s Story – In prison, Kissandi seeks reassurance and receives it from the Raven Queen that her service is still needed. Seeing the passing comet (?) in the sky, Kissandi realizes that this may be supernatural and something meant to honor a god other than the Raven Queen; after accepting the offer from PR III and regaining her equipment, she immediately uses her falchion to smack a mechanical hummingbird just to see how well it is made. As a hummingbird stays with Ja’Elle, Kissandi follows and watches. Kissandi helps distract the bird, allowing Ja’Elle to scribble a quick note. Later, Kissandi sees Ja’Elle slip into a dark alley, and finds him being “mugged” by a few rogues. Ja’Elle isn’t putting up much of a fight and Kissandi realizes it is a set-up to destroy the bird. She doesn’t interrupt and it works. Then, she and Ja’Elle travel together, looking for ways to knock off the other tracker hummingbird. When reunited with Tyzzer and Bui, Kissandi joins them in a meeting with Van Devries, a representative of the king at the castle. After trying to convince Van Devries to help destroy the other hummingbird, Kissandi is dismissed and sent back out. Outside the city walls, the second hummingbird bursts into sparks. Kissandi notices the sparks form a burst 10 circle around the group, with all but two of the sparks quickly fading. She looks at the two that remain and they form part of the outline of a piece of parchment. The parchment directs the group to meet at a defined location in the woods just west of town in exactly 24 hours. Kissandi relocates Ja’Elle in town and brings him back out to meet with the party. She discusses possible options for the party for the next 22 hours and what to do about going into the woods for the likely transportation back to PR III in 22 hours. Over the next 22 hours, she plans to do some more research about Imix.

Bui’s Story – (surprise…Bui is a Sojourner – this may or may not be known to the rest of the party) Bui was graced with one of the two hummingbird trackers. He ventured into town and went to talk with people about the Scarlet Guard, trying to talk with those who he thought would know little and may provide poor information to PR III. He wanted to avoid Dunvan, a former friendly Scarlet Guard contact, if at all possible. Later in the day Bui was jumped by a few rogues. With some quick thinking and good use of his skills, he was able to shake them off. In the ordeal, he lost a potion of healing and his purse was lightened. At the inn where he stayed, his subconscious woke him up in the middle of the night when, once again a couple of rogues were approaching, this time sneaking in the shadows in his room. Using astral flare, he lit up the room and scared off the rogues. He reported the incident to management and they did all they could to make it up, offering him anything he wanted for breakfast and making his stay at the inn free. Bui received a note from his friends saying that he would be jumped again and to let it happen. Instead, Bui decided to stay in only heavily populated areas and well-lit areas so as to avoid being targeted a third time. Upon meeting his fellow adventurers he became aware of their intentions to destroy the tracker hummingbird, of which Bui was not convinced was the best plan, thinking it could lead to Rowena’s demise. Tyzzer was even more adamant about protecting Rowena. Bui joined Tyzzer and Kissandi in meeting with Van Devries. Bui was disappointed when Van Devries gave Dunvan’s name along with the names of two other unknown Scarlet Guard in the presence of the hummingbird. Once the full party was reunited, Bui suggested Ja’Elle research PR III while he and Tyzzer find Dunvan to try to help him and/or get information from him, before the timer with 22 hours left goes off.

Tyzzer’s Story – Tyzzer did not have a hummingbird tracker, so he set off to find out information about the Lambassa Scarlet Guard. He went to a guard house and met a dwarf Scarlet Guard at the door. After rediscovering that Scarlet Guard do not have higher ranks, Tyzzer asked for someone who may have more leadership or could be more helpful. He then met with a dragonborn warlord named Khiraj. He and Khiraj shared battle stories and discussed why Lambassa was in need of their skills right now. Upon Tyzzer’s request for a place where city and Scarlet Guards hang out, Khiraj suggested a seafood bar, The Dire Gar. Tyzzer ate and drank with city guards and commoners and took a lead from one to go to meet Shanks, a city official, inside the castle for more information. Tyzzer continued to ask how to become a Scarlet Guard and how to help the land. After sharing information about PR III and the hummingbird constructs, Shanks said Tyzzer should speak with Van Devries, a close helper of King Goodwell II. Van Devries seemed convinced that the best way forward was to have the PCs serve as double agents, uncovering as much about PR III’s whereabouts as possible while going along with PR III’s plan, and revealing as little as possible. Van Devries asked for a meeting with the entire group later. Ja’Elle did not attend. At this meeting, Van Devries gave three names of Scarlet Guard (Dunvan, Malagar, and Feck). He had told Tyzzer earlier that some information must be released to satisfy PR III and not blow cover for the PCs. Then, the three were separated because of Bui’s hummingbird. Tyzzer was summoned to meet with King Goodwell II. Tyzzer and Goodwell spoke and Goodwell thanked Tyzzer for serving the crown and the country and said to follow Van Devries’ plan. After the last hummingbird self-exploded and was gone, Tyzzer was quite upset with Kissandi and Ja’Elle for not protecting Rowena and trying to destroy the hummingbirds. Tyzzer clearly wants to preserve Rowena’s life first and foremost. He agrees with Bui to try to help him find Dunvan while the other research PR III and Imix before the 22 hour timer runs out.

Part of the Story of the Sojourners – Sojourners are a loosely organized organization of people who help those less fortunate than them. They are somewhat covert and at least nationwide organization in Terkent. The Sojourners recognize one another by a compass that is displayed in different ways on each Sojourner. Sojourners sometimes work solo. Other Sojourners receive aid from and know many others. Part of the reason the Sojourners don’t have a leadership is so that they can operate behind the scenes helping others without politics or money (bribes) influencing them.

End Notes – Ja’Elle plans to search town for more information on PR the third, Kissandi plans to research Imix, while Bui & Tyzzer look to find Dunvan. In just under 22 more hours, the group was instructed to go to a specific location in the woods west of town. The group has not decided whether all will go, if Ja’Elle will stay behind, or what they will do. Questions have been raised about the benefits and drawbacks of going or not going. On one side, the fear is that Rowena could be killed. On the other is that PR III has not been proven trustworthy or not to be trusted. Information gathered may help with the decision.

Current time is January 16, 994 at 8:00 p.m.
Current party loot = 38,913 g.p.

November 30, 2012

Jan 11, 994 at about 3:30 a.m. (party gold = 22,308)

In the last segment, the party just defeated Nosnra and the iron dragon Feramaug and hit a milestone.

After carefully considering plans, the group sent Ja’Elle up the stairs where he found a single room with a single unlocked chest. Inside were 21 bone scroll tubes. All but one of the tubes were empty, which contained note signed by Obmi referring to King Snurre, and urging Nosnra to increase the raids against humans after meeting at Howling Crag.

Next, the group sent Ja’Elle into what appears to be Nonra’s treasury. Ja’Elle sprung a trap but with some luck avoided falling into a pit. After leaping back and forth across the pit, Ja’Elle brought the contents of three treasure chests back. He kept LVL 17 +4 repulsion leather armor. Tyzzer kept the bejeweled gold scepter (7,500 gp) and gold-emroidered vest sewn with gems (2,500 gp). Tyzzer fastened the gem to his bastard sword, making it a LVL 15 +3 righteous weapon. Kissandi took the LVL 17 Cloak of Resistance +4. Tyzzer took the platinum brooch shaped like the holy symbol of Lolth (2,500 gp) and four gems worth 500 gp each. The group left a chest with lots of gold pieces (4,000 gp) in it and a cask of excellent wine (500 gp) here to pick up later, if possible.

Next the group sent Ja’Elle into the stream and had him swim a short distance toward the mines. Ja’Elle didn’t get far before calling the others into the cavern. As the party entered, four umber hulks burrowed up from underground and attacked. Bui recalled an ally. Tyzzer helped his allies shift back. Ja’Elle was slippery enough to escape and Rowena stayed back far enough that eventually the party was able to retreat far enough that the umber hulks stopped their pursuit. Only one umber hulk was damaged in the battle. This was a close call for the party, but a crafty escape.

Next, the party decided to go to the other part of the mines. Partway in, out of the dark, two tentacles grabbed Bui and Rowena. A cave roper started to real Bui in. Rowena was able to break free. Out of the shadows, Ja’Elle darted in and critically hit the beast. Tyzzer charged in to defend his allies. When the roper was bloodied, Bui planted the standard of the silver dragon and used his own glorious presence to quickly reduce the will of the enemy. Rowena eventually came up to attack from close quarters. The roper was never able to land a direct bite, but did further weaken the party. Ja’Elle dealt the killing blow to the roper.

After the roper was defeated, 10 dwarf slaves emerged from hiding saying the stone giants had left them here, the orc slaves were gone, and thanked the party for defeating the roper. The group found more treasure including a golden skull with gems for eyes (1,500 gp), a cured displacer beast fur (1500 gp), and 1200 gp loose in coins. The coins were added to the other chest with loose coins. Tyzzer took the skull and fur. The dwarves carried the treasure chest now with 5,200 gp and the cask of excellent wine (500 gp).

The party next went to the smithy and released the fire elemental that was imprisoned there after Rowena used her ritual to communicate with it, asking it to destroy the cultists on the main floor.

The party went up to the main floor and found a secret door in the single room Ja’Elle had been in with the unlocked chest. The door led to Nosnra’s den, which had chairs covered with stitched human skin, and a mounted head of a great white stag on the wall. Kissandi was found laying on a bearskin rug. After reviving Kissandi, the group decided to continue out of the Steading.

The dwarves hung back in the great hall as Ja’Elle scouted ahead. The cultists were in the entryway. A negotiation went wrong and it turned into a battle. After a fairly quick battle, Tyzzer was knocked unconscious. Bui and Kissandi dropped their weapons. Rowena ran from the Steading. The cultists yelled for Rowena to stop. She did not. Airnys, the Imix cultist leader sent rivulets of fire at both Kissandi and Bui, knocking both unconscious. Ja’Elle snuck away and escaped through a chimney. Before he escaped, Ja’Elle saw evidence that the fire elemental had done some harm to cultists. He also saw Laerthar the stone giant and his two stone giant allies dead amongst many dead cultists from a recent battle.

Tyzzer, Bui, and Kissandi were captured by the cultists.

Rowena and Ja’Elle both made it to the cave where they found each other and Javok. They requested Javok get help. He said it would take days to a week for him. Ja’Elle and Rowena planned to await help.

November 10, 2012

After receiving instructions from the cultists, the group descended to the lower level, with the distinct possibility that they just saw their last extended rest. If they clear the lower level, the cultists may allow them to live.

From the bottom of the stairs, Tyzzer scanned the room. Ja’Elle scouted ahead and noticed some movement behind a nearby door. Soon later another battle with Nosnra began.

Two hill giant avalanchers met the party in the doorway. Two orc ruffians hit the gongs repeatedly during the battle. Nosnra and his wife, Morzul, used ranged attacks to start the battle. The stone giant, Laerthar, used his petrifying gaze throughout the encounter.

Bui kept Nosnra from attacking for several rounds of the fight, before Nosnra finally saved out. Ja’Elle made his way around the battlefield, felling enemies quickly. Tyzzer and Bui held the giants at bay, while Rowena stayed back in the stairwell and used ranged attacks to help weaknen the giants.

The group made quick work of one of the hill giant avalanchers, one of the orc ruffians, and Morzul.

Nosnra, the other hill giant avalancher, and Laerthar held their own. At one point, Ja’Elle and Bui were petried and Tyzzer was unconscious, with Rowena in the stairwell. Nosnra used this chance to escape. The second orc ruffian also ran away during the fight.

Two additional stone giants showed up with ten more orc ruffians.

Once the second hill giant avalancher died and a few of the orcs were destroyed by Rowena, the other orcs made a run for it.

Hope was fading for the group as the stone giants looked fresh and the party was out of healing powers. Laerthar offered an olive branch…allow he and the other two stone giants to leave and they would stop fighting. After a quick negotiation, the party told Laerthar that leaving via the stairs they descended would be sure death at the hands of the cultists above. Laerthar said another stairs could be found, but Nosnra and his dragon would be in the way.

The group decided to take a short rest and were urged by a small, old man in a red cloak to use a ritual to redistribute their healing surges. They spent 10 minutes and then tracked Nosnra to a room with walls bristling with spears.

Ja’Elle slipped in, found a dragon and got back out. Rowena never entered. Tyzzer and Bui entered. The portcullis descended with Ja’Elle and Rowena out and Tyzzer and Bui inside. The dragon and Nosnra quickly did over 90 damage to Bui and knocked him unconscious…

Tyzzer revived Bui quickly.

Bui and Rowena neutered the dragon. Bui reduced the dragon’s damage by 10 and Rowena used mass resist lightning to reduce the dragon’s damage further. Bui recalled an ally and brought Ja’Elle past the portcullis. Rowena got their on her own with her fey step lacings.

The group worked away. Tyzzer proved to be quite the fighter again in both battles, dealing damage as much or more than directing others to deal more damage. Ja’Elle delivered the killing blows to both Nosnra and Feramaug, his pet dragon.

Moments in both battles looked like sure defeat. With a strange turn of events with the Stone Giants and great battle tactics by the party in the battle against Nosnra and Feramaug, the group came out victorious so far.

What awaits next could bring great reward or could all crumble beneath the group.

Kissandi still needs to be found. There must be treasure here somewhere. There is surely more to kill in the mines – for sure that rock beast with a long reach that had been described earlier. Could there still be dwarf slaves there? The unnatural flame in the forge must be investigated. The tenuous alliance with the Stone Giants may prove helpful or costly. Another staircase is nearby. Can it be used to sneak past the cultists, or will the cultists be there, too?

Will the heroes escape the Steading? So many possibilities for next time.

November 7, 2012

You are weakened to the point where fighting the cultists is a certain and quick death. (Kissandi – unconscious and captured by the giants, Tyzzer 1 HP & 0 surges, others unknown but not as good without Tyzzer & Kissandi)

After a short discussion, the leaders of the two groups of cultists approach Rowena, Bui, Ja’Elle, and Tyzzer.

Clearly upset by the unexpected turn of events, Airnys (Imix cult leader – Red Robed Mage Type Leader) and Erogani (other cults leader, Drow Arcane Guard) address the four of you. They seem not fully convinced that you follow Imix. However, they make it clear they want to give you a chance to prove yourselves as true believers. To do this, they say all who dwell in the Steading must be destroyed, and you must destroy them.

The cultists say the only way you will prove that you are true believers is to enter the lower level and clear everything living. If you perish in this mission, you will be celebrated as martyrs for the cause. If you survive and clear the Steading, you may be spared your lives and recognized as true believers depending on how you accomplish this victory. If you do show faith and you honor Imix by destroying the hill giants, their allies, and any other living creatures in the lower level of the Steading, and then make a great sacrifice to Him, you will be bestowed with Imix’s grace.

On your honor and your word that you will do as they have ordered, the cultists post guards over you and over the stairwells, so giants do not emerge/escape while you take an extended rest and level up.

You are given your weapons back as you descend the stairway, knowing that you must clear the level, likely without the chance to take another extended rest and at least initially without Kissandi who was taken below by the giants. If you clear the lower level, you may still escape with your lives.

Rowena endures the high fever through the night and recovers her will. She has bested Greater Moon Fever and is back to being the “normal” Rowena again. The fever is gone and there is no longer a penalty to her Will.

September 14, 2012

The next round, Morzul (Nosnra’s wife), Laerthar (the stone giant), and 14 young hill giant arrive.

Rowena uses her fey step lacings to teleport away from the party and into the fray with the young hill giants. She destroys all but one of the young hill giants and an ogre with a single fire attack.

The party focusses fire on Vaarg and destroy him.

Ironjaws, Nosnra’s bear, is killed.

Several more giants are killed.

Kissandi is knocked unconscious and is dying.

She is stabalized with two strikes.

A hoard of Imix and some other type of cultists arrive.

It seems Nosnra thinks they have arrived to aid the party.

Nosnra orders the giants to grab the elf. They push forward, grab and drag Kissandi to and down the stairs.

The party allows the cultists to surround them, eventually surrendering weapons to them.

Meanwhile, the drow-led cultists (non-Imix worshippers) destroy a giant who is stopping them from pursuing Nosnra and the others. The Imix worshippers destroy the last ogre and a giant who were in the front line of the battle versus the party.

Attempts to bluff and negotiate with the cultists are neither a complete success or failure.

We end in quite a predicament. Kissandi is an unconscious prisoner of the giants who have descended to the lower level Tyzzer has 1 HP and 0 surges. Ja’Elle is surrounded by faceless cultists. The cultists have taken begun to take control of the situation, and it appears the party may be captives.

Next time, what tact will the party attempt to make the most of this turn of events?

Total party loot: 22,308 g.p.Current conditions: Kissandi unconscious and captured by Giants, All others hurting and ‘captives’ of Imix Cultists. All have more than enough experience to level up after the next extended rest.Date and time: January 10, 994 at 6:00 pm

August 31, 2012

Notes 8/31/12

Continue fight!
• Nosnra shoots a crossbow at Rowena, but I bravely intercede and take the brunt of the attack, convincing Nosnra that we are willing to negotiate
• The chief tries to take our weapons and we protest, but eventually give in. Nosnra’s hill giants take the weapons we dropped.
• Alex leaves Steven hanging with a double high-five, but eventually comes around with a burner!
• Vaarg needs to be forcibly removed from the hall. Rowena taunts him mercilessly about his dead wolves.
• Kissandi and Rowena continue to feel the effects of the werewolf’s attacks after the fight. We are worried that they might become infected with lycanthropy.
• Bui attempts to convince Nosnra to reveal his plans, but Nosnra insists that we should have brought information.
• Bui and I convince Nosnra to allow us to accompany a scouting party to Utini and Agion, but he will not give any information about his giant allies.
• We are escorted to the stone giants’ room to spend the night.
• Bui heals Kissandi of his affliction, but Rowena says she can shake it off. Woof.
• Tyzzer asks the hill giant guarding our room if we can worship at the temple.
o Bui convinces Nosnra to let us go with an escort. Nice job, Bui!
o Entering the temple, Bui recognizes that this is a temple dedicated to The Elder Elemental Eye.
o The reflective surface on the wall behind the alter shows monstrous reflections of us.
o We move up and Bui and Kissandi investigate the alter. Kissandi spills her blood on the alter.
o Bui steps around the alter and gazes at the mirror. A “Y” shape is burned into his forehead. He feels the urge to do something bad . . .
o Bui attacks Kissandi! Kissandi leaves the alter. She’s just not that into this.
o Bui is compelled to touch the alter, which causes a large purple gem with black veins to materialize.
• Bui takes the gem and is freed of his domination and scar.
o Rowena approaches the alter and discovers that the wall behind it is a link to the Far Realm. Can we destroy the link?
• No.
o We head back upstairs with our proof of the temple (gem).
• Ja’Elle does his sneaky thing even though there is a hill giant in the room guarding him.
o Tries to hide under the bed. The giant sees him all the way.
o Ja’Elle tries a different tack “I wanna show you a trick . . .” Ja’Elle hides from the giant.
o The crafty halfling then charges in and smacks the giant up.
• The giant doesn’t stand a chance.
o Ja’Elle walks around for a while, gets bored, then returns to the room.
• The gang returns the room to find it dark and suspicious. Ahh, Ja’Elle.
• As we sit around stratergizing, suspicious giants come in to attack us!
o Big fight
o The chiefy joins the fight!
o Vaarg and some more wolves join the fight!
o Rowena puts up a strategic Wall of Fire in the hallway
o We are holding our own, and in a good position, but how many waves of giants can we take on?
o To be continued . . .

August 17, 2012

January 10, 994 at 2 a.m. Tyzzer Zaneen writes:

After enacting Ja’Elle’s entertainer plan to rid the Steading of a few more giants, our company retreated to the safety of the cave from which we first set out, making sure to cover our tracks through the river in case we were being followed. As we approached our cave, which we assumed was well hidden, several of us noticed a small light as if from a hooded lantern, or a child’s nightlight in the back of the small cavern. Ja’Elle scouted ahead and felt confident enough to announce himself. The three figures turned around, and we recognized our fellow adventurers, Laeralin, Fumaro, and Tekal, who had come to offer help and information.

Laeralin gave us two notes left by Javok, the orc we freed. One was from Javok letting us know the context of the other note and telling us of an unnatural flame the dwarf slaves wanted us to check out in the smithy forge. This second note was from PR III to Nosnra, the hill giant chief, and made it clear that the mysterious PR III is behind the hill giants’ raids. It also suggested a religious aspect to the evil that has befallen our beloved country, which I believe makes it even more imperative for us to investigate the temple underneath the Steading in order to know exactly what the motivations of our enemies are, and potentially discover a weakness in their defenses. If nothing else, it will make sure that we are prepared for whatever we are to face in the weeks to come. The second note also gave us the information that reinforcements would be arriving at the Steading in the next day.

At this point, the three travelers asked to talk to us, dividing into two groups. Tyzzer, Ja’Elle, and Kissandi talked with Fumaro and Tekal, while Laeralin talked with Rowena and Bui, the two with elven blood. We did not share much information from these discussions, but it can be assumed that what we talked about helped form our strategy going forward.

I believed that with the giants at the Steading weekend, and reinforcements still at least a day away, our best strategy would be a straightforward assault on the giants. After discussion, however, it became clear that posing as the reinforcements might allow us to infiltrate farther into the heart of the Steading. This could allow us to obtain the information we seek, namely the map of the other giant fortresses, without having to fight. What swayed me to this tactic was the argument that even if this plan failed, we would still be able to enact my “kick the evil giants’ asses and take the map” plan. The note indicated that the reinforcements would prominently display red diamonds on their attire, so with the help of the druid Fumaro, we gathered berries and made a dye with which to paint our armor and robes. It was decided that there was no way to disguise Ja’Elle, so he would pose as a prisoner, giving further credence to our story that we (the imposter reinforcements), met with the heroic adventurers who had previously attacked the Steading (us), thus winnowing our numbers. With a plan in place, we slept as Laeralin, Fumaro, and Tekal kept watch.

The next morning, we set back out to the Steading with the intention of approaching from the road we assumed the reinforcements would come from. As we made our way to this road, we spotted a large group heading toward us. The party hid, while Ja’Elle scouted. Ja’Elle confirmed it was a giant raiding party including three hill giants and eight bugbears. Once the group got within range, we attacked! We were able to make quick work of them with Rowena showing her strength by dispatching the bugbears in two bursts of flame, and Kissandi flying across the battlefield slashing with her falchions that never seem to miss. These were not the reinforcements mentioned in the note, but they were undoubtedly heading to the Steading, so is was fortunate that we were able to fight them on the road before they joined with their evil kin.

We continued on our way and were eventually hailed at the front entrance of the Steading. When the gates opened, we were confronted by a grotesque giant named Vaarg and several large wolves. We introduced ourselves as the anticipated reinforcements and confidently demanded an audience with chief Nosnra. Cautious but convinced, Vaarg escorted us into the great hall, which was much how we left it. The chief, his pet bear, the stone giant named Laerthar, and several other hill giants occupied the chamber with Vaarg and the wolves. We had determined that Bui would pose as the leader of the group, so he began persuading Nosnra that we were indeed the reinforcements he was expecting, and trying to get him to reveal his plans. The chief was clearly more interested in making our “prisoner” Ja’Elle pay for what he had done the day before, but Bui was able to convince him that the halfling was a valuable source of information and that PR III would be angered if we killed him without first questioning him.

After several tense minutes of diplomatic negotiations, Nosnra finally seemed to believe our story, then asked us to prove our faith. At this point it seemed inevitable that our ruse would be discovered. I attempted to appease the chief by kneeling, but Bui did something I did not anticipate. He attempted to push Ja’Elle into the smoldering fire in the center of the room. Ja’Elle resisted, but I caught on to Bui’s intent and confidently walked through the fire, making a show of reveling in the flame. I emerged on the other side quite injured and still on fire. Bui followed suit and did not fair any better.

The chief was still not completely satisfied and commanded Vaarg to challenge us to combat. The hunched giant underwent a monstrous mutation and became a fearsome, slobbering werewolf. We moved into combat strategically, attempting to keep up the ruse that we worshipped the same god Nosnra worshipped. As usual, Kissandi flew into battle with glee, while Bui and I supported from a short distance. Rowena was again a powerful force in the fight, putting the giant werewolf and his pets to sleep for a while. This unfortunately did not last for long, and the battle continued. During this time, Ja’Elle could not keep his impatient hands and feet under control, and several times attempted to move away from his spot in front of the chief. These efforts were met with threats of swift retaliation from the surrounding giants.
Soon, I saw an opportunity to place myself in a strategic melee position, but quickly became the favorite target of the werewolf giant. Were it not for Bui’s healing, I surely would not be alive to be writing this account. After killing both wolves, it was clear that we would soon destroy the giant abomination. Chief Nosnra called a halt to the fight, but Rowena’s emotions were too high, and she pressed on. Obviously not a man who is used to being defied, Nosnra did not ask twice, but rather launched himself into the fray.

Total party loot: 22,308 g.p.(added wealth gained from returning raiding party)Current conditions: In the middle of the 2nd battle since an extended rest. All except Ja’Elle spent action point. All but Ja’Elle bit by Vaarg – must save at end of encounter.Date and time: January 10, 994 at 2:30 pmSeparate quest cards being developed from Laeralin and from Fumaro and Tekal

July 27, 2012

After escorting the prisoners out of the steading, we turned our attention back to exploring the main level. We knew the west side presented us with two choices: 1) enter the great hall and face an enemy force likely too powerful for us to defeat; or 2) enter what we believed to be a kitchen to try to convince the few orcs in there to either assist us or NOT assist the giants. What we didn’t know was what was waiting for us on the east side of the steading, so we concluded it would be a good idea to find out before deciding what to do next.

After a brief discussion about how to proceed, we moved into position in the hallway leading away from the entry area. As we approached, Kissandi spotted a secret – not really secret, but certainly hidden – door leading directly into the great hall. We decided there was no reason to concern ourselves with this door, and instead gathered around the double doors leading east. We could hear many voices speaking in what was presumably the hill giants’ tongue, so we had a pretty good idea of what was on the other side of the doors. Everybody readied themselves in case we were spotted and needed to act fast. Once the group was ready, I opened one of the doors as slowly and as quietly as I could. I – with Kissandi peering inside as well – was able to see three young hill giants in what appeared to be sleeping quarters. Other voices were coming from farther into the room, so we knew there were more than just the three of them. With those inside being preoccupied with what they were doing, they did not notice us. Just as I had done opening the door, I slowly and quietly closed it again. Kissandi and I quickly whispered to the group what we had seen inside, and we all agreed there was no need to start a fight with the young hill giants at this time. We quietly made our way back down the hallway, with the kitchen as our next destination.

We arrived without incident in the hallway that leads from the great hall to the kitchen, then proceeded to take up our positions. I was to cover the door leading from the great hall just in case there were any stragglers, while the rest of the group would be barging into the kitchen in a show of force intended to intimidate the few orcs we expected to find in there. I moved to the door leading to the great hall while the others gathered outside the kitchen door and had a brief whispered discussion, presumably to decide who would be throwing open the door. Kissandi stepped forward, firmly grasped the scalp we removed from the fire giant, leaned heavily into the doors, and pushed them back with great force. I could see her pause ever so briefly, and the sounds of activity coming from inside made it clear she was looking at more than just a handful of orcs. No matter! Kissandi strode forward confidently as planned, and I could see her toss the scalp out in front of her as she walked into the room and out of sight. I heard her say in a loud voice, “THIS will be your fate as well unless you help us defeat the giants!” For several seconds, not a single noise could be heard coming from the kitchen. It was clear Kissandi had gotten the attention of everybody inside, but what would their reaction be? Bui stepped inside the room to join Kissandi, and I could hear him saying (to the orcs, I assume), “If you help us, we’ll let you live!” It was obvious at this point that we were going to have a very tough fight on our hands, so the rest of us rushed forward to join the fray. I saw Tyzzer and Rowena step into the room as I was making my way to the doorway. It was at this point that all hell broke loose!

I made it to the kitchen doorway, and peered around the corner. Instead of entering a small kitchen with a few orcs, we walked into a kitchen suitable for feeding an army! There were two large ovens on the west wall, two large work tables in the open areas, a couple counters in the southeast corner, and numerous barrels, containers, and kitchen utensils all over the place. The kitchen staff consisted of two female hill giant cooks (near the ovens), three ogres (evenly distributed around the kitchen), and 15 orcs (essentially all over the kitchen as well). The giants were not armed, the orcs all had stone knives suitable for carving meat, and the ogres had extremely long spiked chains. Tyzzer, Kissandi, and Bui had already entered 15-25 feet into the kitchen and were facing the bulk of the enemies, while Rowena had hung back closer to the doorway to provide ranged support from a safe distance. Kissandi and Bui were both shouting to the rest of us to NOT attack the orcs, and instead to concentrate on the ogres. It was clear the ogres were directing the orcs to fight, while it was equally clear the orcs were more afraid of the ogres than they were of us. The ogres used the orcs as a protective shield while staying close enough to attack with their long chains. Meanwhile, the hill giants saw no reason to get very close to the fighting, instead relying on hurling at us whatever was handy.

Trying to hide in these conditions was out of the question, so I knew I’d have to rely on my speed to be effective. With almost all of the enemies’ attention being drawn to the others, I was able to dart into and out of the fighting a couple times. I landed a few good hits, but there was no way this strategy was going to be effective if the enemy decided to roll up our left flank. Then…

Way to go, Rowena!

She nailed a handful of baddies with a spell that resulted in five of them (one ogre, one hill giant, and three orcs) falling to the floor, sound asleep! That’s just what the doctor ordered! Now I could finally dive into the action! As I was bolting forward, I could see that Tyzzer, Kissandi, and Bui appeared to be starting to gain the upper hand on the right flank. When I arrived at the downed ogre, I plunged my knife into him and made sure he didn’t get up again. When I looked up, I could see one of the orcs fleeing the battle and cowering behind the table at the north end of the room. It was at this moment that Kissandi broke from the horde on the right flank and ran to finish off the downed hill giant. She was going to need some help, with the other hill giant so close. I scrambled over the table and moved into position next to Kissandi, who had just started to work on the sleeping hill giant. We finished the job quickly, but at the cost of one boiling hot cauldron being thrown at us by the other hill giant. I was able to sidestep it, but Kissandi wasn’t so lucky. She was hurt, but still battled on!

A quick look around showed things were definitely looking up for us. The three previously-sleeping orcs had awoken and were trying to make their way for the south doors, obviously no longer interested in fighting. The hill giant stood alone in front of an oven, looking more desperate than intimidating as she reached for whatever she could find to throw. Toward the center of the kitchen were two ogres – one still untouched – and a handful of orcs. Since the ogres were our primary targets AND I knew Kissandi would have no trouble with a hill giant cook, I decided to head directly for the closer of the two ogres. That meant climbing over the table again, but this time I stayed on it to try to catch the ogre off guard. Unfortunately for me, he saw me coming and swung his chains at me when he thought I had lost my footing. Unfortunately for him, I was only pretending to lose my footing in the hope that he would take the bait and swing at me. The gamble almost proved costly, as the ends of his chains whistled past the tip of my nose. Avandra was looking out for me, and with her help I was able to close in on the ogre and land a devastating blow. Shortly thereafter, Bui’s glorious presence sapped what was left of his will to live. Two ogres down and one to go!

We were able to make quick work of the remaining ogre, so I hustled after the orc who had slipped out the north doors while the rest of the party went to help Kissandi finish the last hill giant. The terrified orc was cowering in the dining room just off the kitchen and he refused to return. I told him there was only one hill giant remaining, but he said he was not moving until she was dead too. Moments later, the party finished off the hill giant and I was able to convince the orc to return. The other three surviving orcs also returned, and we gathered as much information as we could from them. They told us of a powerful giant – more powerful than the chief – who used trained large wolves in battle. When we had finished interrogating them, they agreed to help us. However, they were not able to produce a volunteer to carry out the plan of spiking the giants’ drinks. So, Kissandi chose a volunteer and told the other three to go free. The “volunteer” orc summoned his courage and delivered as many drinks as possible to the giants in the great hall. Our goal was to make them as drunk as possible, in order to give us an advantage when fighting them. Once the orc was done, we sent him on his way as well. All the pieces were now in place for us to launch a most audacious plan, involving me standing face-to-face with the giants in the great hall. Gulp!

We had discussed the plan earlier, so everybody had a general idea of what to do. We returned to the entry room and reviewed the details one last time. We were fortunate to have gotten this far without any major problems, but I was wondering if our luck would run out while I was standing among the giants. I suppose there was only one way to find out. Bui, Rowena, and Tyzzer went outside to set up the location for the “performance,” while Kissandi and I approached the main doors to the great hall. I removed my bracers and gauntlets to appear as ordinary as possible. Kissandi paused for a while, and I am pretty sure she asked for guidance or protection from the Raven Queen, or both. I was glad she did, because I was beginning to think we would need all the help we could get. We waited a moment to listen – just to make sure the party was indeed still going, which it was. Kissandi and I pushed open one of the massive doors just wide enough for a human to fit, I took a deep breath, then casually strode into the great hall as if I was just a traveling performer who had lost his way.

I’m not sure whether I was surprised or not that I was able to walk nearly past the fire pit before any of them noticed me. I suppose they were busy having a good time, and there was no reason for them to be on their toes since they were in the great hall of their fortified steading. It’s not like somebody could just slip in and start killing everything in sight and hope to survive. But, I digress…
As I approached the fire pit, the hill giant there who appeared to be in charge of cooking the meat saw me. He didn’t seem as surprised that I appeared as much as he seemed surprised at seeing a halfling for the first time. He said something to get the attention of a huge – even by their standards – hill giant seated in the center chair along the north wall. I glanced around quickly to see the hill giant chief, five hill giant guards, one stone giant, and a massive bear. I can’t say that I’ve ever felt especially tall in my life, but at this moment I was feeling especially small. The chief was also clearly seeing a halfling for the first time if the look on his face was any indication. He asked me who I was, and I explained that I was part of a group of traveling performers who had gotten lost. We were hoping to find a safe place to stay for the night, and in exchange we would be willing to put on one of our shows. The chief was reluctant, demanding to know how I had gotten inside. I told him his guards stopped us at the front gate, as I had no doubt he had instructed them to do. I did assure him at this point that his guards were actually doing their jobs quite admirably, making sure some group of strangers didn’t just come waltzing in. I further explained to the chief that his guards demanded proof that we were indeed who we said we were, so my colleagues were outside performing for the guards. I was allowed to enter, since the guards had concluded that one little halfling couldn’t possible be a threat to a steading full of giants. This explanation still did not satisfy the chief, but it seemed the extra alcohol may have finally put him over the top. He appeared quite pleased at the idea of seeing a group of traveling halflings.

I thanked the chief and turned to leave. After taking one or two steps, I stopped and turned to face the chief again. I asked him if it would be possible for one or two of his guards to help us with our belongings and our animals. Our group was weary from far too much traveling, I said, and the extra help would allow us to get started sooner. Reluctantly, the chief agreed and ordered Lugnut to accompany me outside to help. I again thanked the chief, then turned to walk with Lugnut to rejoin my colleagues outside. Along the way, I was telling him what a wonderful show we have, and that all of them were in for a very special treat. As we approached the main doors to the great hall, I could see that Kissandi had left to alert the others that we were on the way. When we reached the entry room, I assured Lugnut that the lack of torches was because they were all outside being used for the performance and pointed to the light coming from outside the main gate. At this point, we could hear very clearly what sounded like a carnival going on outside. Rowena really outdid herself this time! It took a little convincing to get Lugnut completely outside, but his curiosity got the better of him and he rounded the corner of the doorway with a look of great anticipation on his face. I almost felt bad about the “surprise” he was about to receive. As planned, the party jumped out of the shadows and made such quick work of Lugnut that he was not able to yell for help and barely was able to put up a fight. Things were going pretty much according to plan, but we decided to change things a bit at this point.

Luck had been on our side while we were in the steading, but fatigue was beginning to take its toll. When we devised the plan to face the giants in the great hall, we had not counted on having such a grueling battle in the kitchen. We did win that battle, but the victory came at the cost of sapping more of the precious little energy we had remaining. So, instead of returning to face the giants inside, we decided to wait outside and hope they would come to investigate. After a few minutes, the chief was yelling for Lugnut. We could not make out what he was saying because he was speaking in the hill giant tongue, but it was clear his patience was wearing thin. We were hoping he would send out one or two of the guards to find out what was happening, but the chief decided he wanted to find out for himself. We could hear the sound of several giants approaching, so we remained hidden just outside the main gate in order to ambush them. Unfortunately, they stopped in the entry room and the chief began shouting again. We heard Lugnut’s name a few more times and what was undoubtedly a lot of cursing aimed at us, but none of them made a move out of the darkness. In an act of desperation, I stepped into the doorway to try to convince the chief that Lugnut and the other guards were still around the corner enjoying the show. I did not need to see or even hear the chief to realize he was no longer buying the traveling entertainers story and was just trying to figure out what was REALLY happening. The chief grunted something, then we could hear footsteps leading away from us and presumably toward the bodies we had hidden at the base of the stairs.

The giants now knew that something was terribly wrong – from their perspective – and we knew they would want to strike hard and fast to exact revenge on those who invaded their steading, killed many of their comrades, and freed prisoners. Knowing this and knowing they would likely muster all their available forces, standing toe-to-toe with them in the doorway was no longer a very attractive option. We quickly decided that we needed to put some distance between us and the steading so that we wouldn’t be overwhelmed. We stopped about 200 feet away in order to see if anybody was following us. After a while, a hill giant guard came out of the main gate and looked around. He found Lugnut’s lifeless body and went back inside. We decided to continue watching and listening. When we heard the howling (wolves perhaps?), we decided the time had come to fall back to a safer location.

Should we make our way to the cave and try to get an extended rest, or should we try to set up an ambush for those who are tracking us? A successful ambush would likely give us the time we need for an extended rest, but a tough fight may be more than we can handle without resting first. We stand, once again, at another crossroads…

Priorities (in no particular order):
Major quest: The stone giants, frost giants, and fire giants have hidden strongholds in the mountains. Look for a map or some other clue that reveals where these allied strongholds are located.

Special Quest: Free the Dwarf Slaves– The hill giants have captured several dwarves, and the dwarven clanholds (Bofgim, Thokak, Vonhak) have posted generous rewards for their safe return.PARTIALLYCOMPLETED – FIVESENTWITHJAVOK

Minor Quest: Rescue Zandor Caskerhill – The hill giants have captured Zandor Caskerhill, a human merchant who has ties to local nobility in Estias, the Finnara family. Locate and rescue him.COMPLETED – SENTWITHJAVOK, ALTHOUGHZANDORWASKNOCKEDOUT BY KISSANDI

Minor Quest: Find the Abandoned Temple – The hill giants have built their stronghold atop an old dungeon complex, within which is rumored to be an abandoned temple. Find this temple, explore it, and bring back proof of your discovery.

Total Party Loot = 20,308 g.p.
Engraved stone tablet from Belastraya to Laerthar (Rowena)
2 Milestones: 5+ encounter since last extended rest.
Time: Currently around 2 am on January 10, 994.

July 13, 2012

After some planning, Ja’Elle scouted out the area. He peeked in a door and saw two hill giant torturers torturing a half-orc and a dwarf. Then, he explored a passageway leading around to the other side of the torture chamber and also to the smithy.

The group planned to lure the hill giants out towards into an ambush in another room. Kissandi, using the hat of disguise, disguised herself as an escaped prisoner, got the hill giants attention and moved away. The closest hill giant torturer was able to catch up to her at the entryway to the ambush with a charge.

The first hill giant was quickly bloodied. The second yelled something towards the smithy and then joined the fight. Ja’Elle, Kissandi, and Tyzzer were able to keep the giants flanked and away from Rowena and Bui. Rowena and Bui used ranged attacks to weaken the giants. Bui planted the Standard of the Silver dragon and used his own glorious presence to quickly deplete the last remnants of will and energy of the giants. The group quickly dispatched both hill giants with focused fire.

During the melee, a couple of orcs peeked around the corner and then left to take word back to the smithy. Another orc sprinted off in the direction of the mines. With Javok’s help, we later guessed that he was alerting stone giants, more orcs, and dwarf slaves in the mines to our presence in the Steading.

Kissandi freed Javok, a half-orc, who had been strapped to a rack and tortured. Using her action point, Kissandi freed the dwarf from the spit above the hot coals, too. The dwarf cowered in a corner. Javok said he would do anything to help us out.

Javok, following Kissandi’s orders, charged into the smithy and attacked an orc. The orc hit him back. The fire giant forgepriest, Smolderheart, grabbed Javok with his fiery tongs and smashed him with his flaming warhammer, dealing over 60 damage. The group hustled in. Kissandi and Tyzzer worked on the minions. Bui protected the group by greatly reducing the damage of the fire giant and temporarily made it so Smolderheart could not attack. Rowena made the group fire resistant. Javok escaped the grasp of the tongs and ran, on fire, to safety.

Smolderheart quickly made his saving throw and regained the ability to attack. He grabbed Bui with his tongs. Rowena blasted Smolderheart back, releasing Bui from the tongs. The orc minions were dispatched quickly. Ja’Elle joined the fray, initially helping pick the lock on manacles that were slowing a dwarf slave. Ja’Elle and Tyzzer told the dwarves to help free each of from the manacles.

Smolderheart only got off a few hits before succumbing. Rowena scalped the fire giant, planning to use the scalp as a negotiation tool later.

The party searched all areas in the area (smithy, torture chamber, hill giant bedroom) and found 500 gp and a potion of vitality (Kissandi) in the hill giants’ bed chambers.

Javok spoke with the party, sharing a little more information about what is in the lower level and brainstorming what to do next. Javok says he was initially captured while trying to do reconnaissance here. Then, while leading an attempted orc revolt, he was quickly captured again and brought to the torture chamber where you found him. He learned about the stone giants commanding the orcs and watching the dwarves in the mines, about a rock beast with long arms guarding the entrance to the mines, and that part of the mines were off limits to the slaves.

After much discussion and planning, the group decided to use Javok to escort the slaves to freedom, asking him to return to the hidden cave near the Steading and wait for the party, once all are delivered to safety. He agreed. This will likely take him days to accomplish and return.

Ja’Elle scouted to make sure the residents on the upper level hadn’t discovered the breach yet. It appears they hadn’t. The party that we heard still rages on in the great hall. All is quiet on the western side of the Steading, in the wake of our group’s path.

The coast appears clear. All 17 former prisoners slowly and quietly followed the party to the upper level and to the entrance. Javok led the prisoners out.

Rowena used a ritual (cost 270) to see what is in the great hall while Ja’Elle and Kissandi investigate what appears to be guest chambers occupied by Stone Giants. After Kissandi successfully picks the lock, we found 10 500 gp gems (5000 gp), 700 gp, and a stone tablet engraved in dwarven to Laerthar from Belastraya.

Ja’Elle notices an orc slave going back and forth from what we guess is a kitchen to the great hall.

The group discussed the best strategy going forward. Should they try to find poison or a way to get the giants to fight each other? Should they attack the main hall? Should they enter the kitchen and try to get the orc slaves to help? Should they explore more?

Ja’Elle scouts out the passage leading to the eastern side of the Steading and hears many giantish voices there, too.

In the end the group decides that the great hall is likely too much to handle right now. The kitchen and the great hall seem connected by the food supply, so the group decides to hold off on the kitchen, too.

The next point to attack is the eastern side of the Steading, in hopes of depleting the giants forces, possibly gaining a prisoner for a negotiation, and hopefully not alerting the great hall to our presence and joining in a fight. Having a plan of escape may be necessary as many of the party have only a couple heal surges left.

Priorities (in no particular order):
Major quest: The stone giants, frost giants, and fire giants have hidden strongholds in the mountains. Look for a map or some other clue that reveals where these allied strongholds are located.

Special Quest: Free the Dwarf Slaves– The hill giants have captured several dwarves, and the dwarven clanholds (Bofgim, Thokak, Vonhak) have posted generous rewards for their safe return.PARTIALLYCOMPLETED – FIVESENTWITHJAVOK

Minor Quest: Rescue Zandor Caskerhill – The hill giants have captured Zandor Caskerhill, a human merchant who has ties to local nobility in Estias, the Finnara family. Locate and rescue him.COMPLETED – SENTWITHJAVOK, ALTHOUGHZANDORWASKNOCKEDOUT BY KISSANDI

Minor Quest: Find the Abandoned Temple – The hill giants have built their stronghold atop an old dungeon complex, within which is rumored to be an abandoned temple. Find this temple, explore it, and bring back proof of your discovery.

June 30, 2012

Ja’Elle coordinated a plan to help cover tracks or slow the sounding of an alarm. The group divided out. Tyzzer and Bui unhooked the gong. Kissandi, Ja’Elle, and Rowena listened at doors. Ja’Elle put some minor obstructions in the way of the main entry doors. The group piled the dead bodies of the ogres and hill giants on top of the gong in the center of the stairwell, out of sight of those initially walking into the room. The lights were extinguished. It seems pretty certain that there is a party behind the large double doors.

The group entered the small double doors near the stairs and found a hall where lights were extinguished. The group stealthily entered another hall and listened at another door. Snoring was audible.

The group quickly entered the room. Before any coup de graces, Rowena stumbled over some furs and awakened the 6 sleeping ogres. The group made quick work of the ogres, but not before the ogres yelled for help.

The group considered descending a staircase, but two stone giants entered the battle seconds later from the door the party had used to enter the room.

The battle with the stone giants took something out of the party, but the giants were defeated as Tyzzer momentarily supplanted Bui as healer.

The group searched the ogres room and then decided to descend to the basement/dungeon level of the Steading.

The large room housed two bugbear guards stationed by gongs. One of the bugbears yelled for help. The two bugbears were quickly killed.

Rowena was able to burn 8 bugbears to death with one spell. Kissandi battled the bugbear captain while the others worked on 2 carnivorous apes and a hill giant jailer. Many crits later, the group defeated the enemy, with Bui barely bringing down the bugbear captain before he could escape and alert others. During the fight, Ja’Elle was knocked unconscious twice, but healed by Tyzzer.

After the battle, the group gained Forgemaster’s Gloves (Kissandi) and a Thundering Battleaxe +3 (Tyzzer – may pay 7500 gp later to move the gem to another weapon). The group freed 11 human slaves including Zandor Caskerhill. Tyzzer was able to slightly calm Zandor, before Kissandi reduced Zandor to tears and shrieks of fear again. Kissandi knocked him out and dragged him back into the cell.

The other prisoners agreed to wait in the cells until the party can help them escape. They were glad to give the party information about the nearby smithy and torture chamber, about the mines, and about the temple. The prisoners refused to go to the temple, describing it as “an evil place.”

You’ve gone 3 encounters. You know how many daily powers and action points you have left.

What you (think you) know:
Prisoners shared info about what they knew about the basement/dungeon level: a Smithy & adjacent Torture Chamber (fire giant forgepriest, 2 hill giant torturers, possibly more), some mines (dwarf slaves, possibly more), and a temple that the prisoners call “an evil place.” There are some unknown areas in this level beyond those mentioned by the prisoners or explored by the party.
On the main floor, the party perceived a party happening in a great hall in the center of the building. There were several other parts of the main floor unexplored, too.

The plan for next time:
Start with the Smithy area (also adjacent to the Torture Chamber)
Then going back upstairs to clear things out room by room.
At some point, the group (especially Tyzzer) wants to save the dwarf slaves from the mines and the human slaves from the cells.
An extended rest may be needed in the near future.
The group wants to find a map or information about the location of the other strongholds of the Stone, Frost, and Fire Giants.

Have the giants on the main floor discovered the uninvited guests yet? How long does the party have before they switch from hunter to hunted? How long can the group hold out before needing to rest and recuperate before launching another attack on the Steading?

June 9, 2012

December 21, 993-Dec 30, 993:
After meeting with Shem Wartburg, of Standhall, the group set out to sell items and upgrade.

Bui visited other priests, selling a Belt of Resilience and buying River of Life Gloves. Rowena helped Bui upgrade his Holy Symbol from +1 to +3. Bui also bought a Circlet of Continuity from a local merchant.

Ja’Elle sold several items to members of thieve’s guilds including a Deathstalker Dagger, an Abyssal Adornment, and Knifethrower’s Gloves. Tyzzer upgraded Ja’Elle’s armor from regular leather to Magic Leather +3. Ja’Elle bought a Hat of Water Breathing and Gauntlets of Ogre Power from local merchants. He bought an Eleven Cloak +3 from a member of the Woodland Justice Network (WJN).

Kissandi bought a Belt of Vim from a local merchant. Bui gave Kissandi a Hat of Disguise. Tyzzer gave Kissandi a Ring of Fireblazing and Bracers of Speed.

Rowena sold a Staff of Fiery Might and Bloodthread Armor to members of the WJN. She bought Feystep Lacings from another member of the WJN. Rowena was willing to buy without negotiating because she supported the WJN, she gained a good name and was gifted 3 items. These included a Circlet of Arcane Extension, an Elixir of Luck, and a Fey Step Potion. She also bought Bracers of Mental Might from a Corellon worshipper.

Tyzzer returned on Dec 28, 993 and met back up with the group.

Tyzzer sold a holy symbol of Ioun and books about Dagon and demons. He bought Bracers of Respite from a local merchant. He trained a friend of Nan on the martial practice of Temporary Fix along with some gold in exchange for gaining training in the martial practice of Uncanny Strength.

He met Sarax, a dragonborn hero/wanted man, and bought Dragonborn Greaves. Sarax asked for Tyzzer’s assurance that he would lead the group against the giants, and seemed satisfied with Tyzzer’s response. Tyzzer has heard of Sarax before. Sarax is know currently as one of the most most wanted on the crown’s list. He used to be one of the greatest known heroes of the realm, knighted as a Scarlet Guard by King Goodwell IIs father, King Goodwell. He was honored for having repelled the last know giant raid in eastern Terkent, decades ago. He did this with wit, weapon, and leadership. Compared to what has been rumored today, this was a very small giant raid. In the past year, Sarax was accused of abandoning his god, Bahamut, for coin and was said to leading a revolt against the kingdom and the crown, possibly allying with enemies of the land. He denied the charges, but was convicted in Lambasa and sentenced to 20 years in jail. When Adalaentar attacked Lambasa, he escaped jail (at the same time as Craynor and others escaped) and has been a wanted escaped criminal ever since.

Tyzzer has decided that someday, after dealing with the giants and Adalaentar, he plans to return to meet with Shacrois Nuadil, the gold dragon, to try to understand the dragon’s interest in the ancient city of Seegold.

Ja’Elle bought 10 Potions of Healing and 2 Potions of Cure Moderate Wounds to distribute to the party. Each PC took 2 Potions of Healing. Bui and Tyzzer each took 1 Potion of Cure Moderate Wounds.

After all the selling and buying, the group has 14,792 g.p. remaining.

On January 2, 994, the party went to Glim about mid-afternoon.

Ja’Elle and Kissandi took to the streets. Ja’Elle found a female halfling rogue who said her name was Rixi. She and Ja’Elle shared stories about the recent increase in business in Glim. She said she knew or knew of Knix, a more recent contact of Ja’Elle’s from Lambasa. Ja’Elle felt that he made a good connection with her. Kissandi watched to make sure nobody was watching Ja’Elle.

Bui, Rowena, and Tyzzer went to a local bar and spoke to 2 humans and a dwarf. 1 human and the dwarf seemed like local town guards, on their time off. The other was very interested when Tyzzer mentioned the meeting of heroes at the Vortex. The non-local human seemed to want to hitch a ride with the party to get into the meeting. He was denied.

The streets in Glim are very busy with locals, farmers, urban folk, and many adventuring types.

The group arrived at the Vortex tavern and inn a little early, around 7:30 to scout the place out. A somewhat disturbing flag flew over the establishment.

From across the street, the a man, looking at the group said, “Looks like FREAKNIGHT at The Vortex tonight! Ha, Ha, Ha!” Rowena used mage hand to give him a wedgie.

All but one of the entrances were closed. The open entrance to this riverfront business was guarded by two armed guards, a dragonborn and a goliath. In front of the at a makeshift table, sat a slight, frail older human named Carnavon.

One by one, Carnavon asked each character a series of questions. An old friend, Atli, helped Carnavon screen those coming through. Kissandi would not lie about being an elf and did not have an elf ID. After some convincing by Ja’Elle and Tyzzer, Kissandi returned and was allowed entrance into the tavern. Before entering Kissandi was asked why she protected Ja’Elle, was it for the dragon or against the dragon? Carnavon gave all of the characters a silver cufflink in the shape of a hand.

Rowena used a ritual to help protect the groups privacy in conversation as they entered The Vortex. A loud din of noise emanated from within as the group entered. A mixture of regular folks and those hardened by adventure were within. It was nearly body to body in areas near the bar and most every table was taken.

Above the noise, a female dwarf named Rokel and a young male halfling named Neff argued about the usefulness of adventurers in the world. Rokel seemed to think the world would be better without them. Neff was the #1 fan of all adventurers. Tyzzer tried to make good with Rokel, somewhat unsuccessfully. Neff, when introduced to Tyzzer and Ja’Elle knew about Tyzzer’s returns from the dead and Ja’Elle being a Chosen One. Neff was a little excited (understatement) to meet the heroes, running up and down the bar, telling everyone who he has just met.

The group sought out some others in the bar. Rowena spoke with Malifer, an older sage who said he mostly studied and did a little adventuring. Tyzzer and Ja’Elle spoke with a group of adventurers that Tyzzer knew (Alphariel, Vani, Xabier, Gaard, and Steel). Kissandi hung out in the corner. Bui spoke with Shivon, Thorn, Itzam-Ye, Ara, and Nashwa El-Nar briefly because Shivon was Shivon.

Several guards entered, clearing the bar of anyone who did not receive a silver cufflink in the shape of a hand. Neff and many other locals left. Still, many heroes remained in a very full tavern.

Carnavon introduced Sarax. Rowena remembered a very similar history about Sarax to what Tyzzer remembered above.

Sarax directs the action. He said, “I am pleased that you have all made it here and made it through our screening. My apologies for the necessity of the door check, but in troubled times, we can never be too sure that those who oppose what is right have not sent spies or infiltrators…now, on with our business. We have sent word to those we trust to ask your presence in coordinating our defenses, and more importantly our OFFENSE versus that powers that mean to destroy or subjugate us. For some of you, there will be a choice in how you can help. For others, the choice has already been made. It is up to you whether or not to accept it and join with us. Together we can accomplish anything. Apart, despite all of our best efforts, we may never see the ends we hope to see. h. Now it is time to lay out the dangers that we face and some of our strategies for each. We want you to be aware of all of our missions so we can coordinate with each other should something happen to any of the leadership of our newly formed network…"

The Mission(s):

Information Gatherers

Fire related incidents have spiked. Are these from Adalaentar, copycats, or what? It is unlike Adalaentar not to claim his exploits and try to put fear in the populace. We need investigations into these incidents happening in many areas of eastern Terkent in order for us to find their source and put a stop to it.

Rhendlichian Elves – We need to uncover whether the claims of the crown are true. Are Rhendlichian elves behind the problems we face in Terkent? Have these elves invaded? Do they have connections to the WJN? Or are these lies? Without answers to these questions, our search for the reasons behind our problems, we cannot get to the root of the problem. This will involve work on both continents.

The Scarlet Guard – Why have some of the Scarlet Guard gone astray of the law and used their titles to harm a populace and others looking to help, especially after they were honored for helping the same groups of people? An investigation that begins in the capitol is in order. This will need to be a quiet investigation.

Alphariel shouts out, “Down with the Red Piss Legion!”

Sarax continues:

The Woodland Justice Network, our allies in the past, seem to be splintering. We need more information about what is happening and if they are to be trusted or to be considered a threat to civilization. We need information seekers.

Agaro, a dwarf rogue-like character, slammed his fist on the table and said, “What does it matter? These are minor concerns. Unless the giants and Adalaentar can be dealt with, all the rest is meaningless!”

Sarax – “I like your vigor Agaro and I will get to that in due time. Send him some another ale, on me.” (Agaro stops, Sarax continues) “As you all are aware, our power is not yet strong enough to deal with Adalaentar head on. At some point we will. But, for now, we must learn new ways that will allow us to defeat him. We will need both wit and weapons to do this. With the showing before me, I know it can be done!”

Agaro – “Then what will we do about the dragon now?”

Carnavon – “The demands of the dragon continue. For now, the crown and our raised taxes have at least partially pacified Adalaentar. We do not have the power to defeat him…yet. Sarax believes that in time, we…you will.”

Brigands & Bandits – seemingly small threats, they must be dealt with. Some of you are suited to help in this way, gain experience, and be able to help in greater ways in the future.

Aberrants from the Far Realm have entered our world in several locations. Some of these entries have been shut down. More is needed to be done. We have word from good sources that a town in Bala-dul, named Wellspring, has seen a very recent explosion of issues likely related to this Tear of Ioun. All signs point this way. (the sight near the Forlorn Tower) We need a group that will go here immediately.

Giants – this is our greatest and potentially worst threat aside from the dragon right now. Giants have been raiding civilized lands in large bands, visiting death and destruction upon villages, towns, and farmlands. Entire militias have been conquered, whole crops have been wiped out. Marauding bands consist of mixed groups of hill giants, stone giants, frost giants, and fire giants, as well as ogres and other monsters allied with giants. The closest giant stronghold – and the greatest immediate threat to the safety of nearby settlements – is a great timber fortress populated by hill giants, known simply as the hill giant steading. The hill giant chief routinely plunders farms and threatens trade roads. He has gathered other creatures to his banner and uses them in his brutal raids. The hill giant alliance with more powerful kinds of giants, such as frost and fire giants, is a matter of grave concern. We need to:

3. Deal with the Steading, located among secluded foothills of King’s Mountains. It is close enough to civilized lands, Estias and Erya, and the main mountain path and pass in that region, to be a source of great concern

4. Break the enemy alliance

5. Find the Hidden Strongholds – The stone giants, frost giants, and fire giants have hidden strongholds in the mountains. Look for a map or some other clue that reveals where these allied strongholds are located.

6. We need those of Terkent, bound to protect Terkent, and experienced enough to take this, the most difficult of our missions. I have spoken with my great scout, Nan Hornberg, and he had recommended someone I thought dead until very recently. Tyzzer Zaneen, I need you to lead your companions in this mission?

Tyzzer receives a bit of guff from his comrades, ignores them, and accepts the mission.

Sarax – “Volunteers can sign up with Carnavon. Others will be assigned to roles we best feel suits them.”

Agaro – volunteers to help versus the brigands & bandits or spy in any of the info seeker missions.

Atli – volunteers to help investigate Scarlet Guard

There is much movement and interest from the other adventures.

The group enters the back room with Sarax and he goes over the mission, Against the Giants. His advice:

Nan Hornberg and a small band have been sent as scouts. Look for them in nearby towns to get more specific advice.

Gather information you can in the region nearby to uncover whatever you can that will aid you in your attack on the giants fortifications.

You will be attacking the Steading, a fort. You would do best to not alert them as you approach & enter. We send you, a small band of experienced adventurers, because we believe a full out frontal assault is less likely to succeed than sending you.

Only by destroying the alliance can we put down the giant uprising for good.

Follow any clues that point toward the sinister hand suspected of uniting giants.

As payment for your help, you can have all mundane items you need and are entitled to keep whatever treasure you find.

The group receives a major quest: The stone giants, frost giants, and fire giants have hidden strongholds in the mountains. Look for a map or some other clue that reveals where these allied strongholds are located.

Location of the Steading of Hill Giant Chief – foothills of King’s Mountains, near Estias and Erya, and the path and pass into the King’s Mountains.

The group goes to find Nan Hornberg, scout for Sarax. Using another useful ritual from Rowena, the group finds him pretty quickly in Estias. The surrounding farmlands have been heavily damaged, as has the city. Some activity remains in the city.

The group talks to Nan. He reconnects with Tyzzer and then advises the group:

i. Set up a safe place outside to retreat to if needed. He identifies a cave for the group.

ii. However, once inside, do not leave and allow them to fortify their defenses. Do not yield ground.

vi. Remember to follow any clues that point toward the sinister hand suspected of uniting giants.

vii. Only by shattering the alliance can we succeed.

viii. Give the group a map he and other scouts made of the exterior of the Steading.

Advised by Sarax and Nan, the group seeks out more information from locals. This party gains the following information:

Determined to repel the invaders, local lords have begun hiring brave adventuring parties. The first few groups didn’t fare well. Some crushed beneath the boulders and jackboots of rampaging giants, while others went into wilderness, never to return.

One questions whether Rhendlichian elves are behind the giant alliance.

One questions whether Scarlet Guard, and maybe even King could be corrupt and part of a bigger problem.

One asks, could the dragon be convinced to defeat the giants to gain all their wealth?

The closest giant stronghold – and the greatest immediate threat to the safety of nearby settlements – is a great timber fortress populated by hill giants, known simply as the hill giant steading. Nosnra (pronounced noz-en-rah), a grossly fat and thoroughly despicable hill giant chief, rules from this stronghold. Sly and vicious, the hill giant chief routinely plunders farms, ambushes merchant caravans, and threatens trade roads. He has gathered ogres and other vile creatures to his banner and uses them as fodder during his brutal raids.

The group adds three minor quests:
1. Special Quest: Free the Dwarf Slaves– The hill giants have captured several dwarves, and the dwarven clanholds (Bofgim, Thokak, Vonhak) have posted generous rewards for their safe return.

2. Minor Quest: Rescue Zandor Caskerhill – The hill giants have captured Zandor Caskerhill, a human merchant who has ties to local nobility in Estias, the Finnara family. Locate and rescue him.

3. Minor Quest: Find the Abandoned Temple – The hill giants have built their stronghold atop an old dungeon complex, within which is rumored to be an abandoned temple. Find this temple, explore it, and bring back proof of your discovery.

The group scouts out the safe cave and the Steading. They spend the first night and the entire next day watching to see if raiders leave or return. None are seen. There is movement in the watchtower.

The Steading: A massive timber stronghold hides among the hills. The well-worn trail that you’ve been following ends before a pair of 15-foot-high doors made of ironbound logs. Thicker logs comprise the walls of the stronghold. The wooden roof inclines toward the middle, reaching a height of 30 feet at its peak. The stronghold has no windows, but a squat watchtower overlooks the entrance. Smoke rises from numerous stone chimneys.

A log guardhouse stands apart from the main stronghold, but connected by a palisade wall of vertical logs 15 feet high. Heavy doors set into the palisade lead to a courtyard lodged between two buildings.

The group debates several approaches and choose to follow advice from Sarax and Nan and check the front gate. Ja’Elle and Kissandi stealthily approach, listen, and then crack open the front door. A well-lit entry room where guards are snoring loudly, but almost drown out by what sounds like a nearby party, coming from deeper areas of the Steading.

After the others in the party arrive at the entrance, Ja’Elle and Kissandi try to sneak in to try to kill the sleeping hill giant and 4 ogres. Kissandi stumbles over a large sack, rattling the metal within and awakening the giant.

The giant stands and throws a rock in the general direction of Kissandi. Kissandi kills one of the minion ogres in its sleep. Ja’Elle rushes over and knocks out the giant, but the giants yell awakens the ogres. The other three ogres are dispatched quickly, as is the giant.

Three more giants descend from the watchtower to do battle with the party. Tyzzer directs others to get in extra attacks. Kissandi and Ja’Elle get into hand to hand combat versus the giants. Rowena even gets in the mix, centering several blasts and bursts on many of the giants, setting a couple on fire. For quite some time, they cannot put it out. Bui deals some ranged attacks and helps with healing, too. The pack a pretty strong whack with their clubs, but the group makes quick work of them.

The group is in pretty good shape after the first encounter. Only 1 daily was used, no action points. The only real harm was in heal surges spent. No worthwhile treasure is found in this entry hall or in the tower.

Next time, will venturing further into the Steading prove more difficult than beating sleeping, drunken ogres and giants? Which of the double doors will the party open first?

The total party loot is now at: 14,387 g.p.; the party has had 1 encounter since an extended rest. It is around 8:00 p.m. on January 9, 994.

April 21, 2012

Dec 18, 993:

Shacrois Nuadil, the Gold Dragon, told us that there were Giant problems in eastern Terkent, the homeland to Bui, Rowena, Ja’Elle, and Tyzzer. It was important that we hurry back to meet with leaders and advisors.

We took a short rest to heal up. Bui’s god helped him heal us faster.

We ported from the dragons to the location where we entered the Feywild, then took the portal back to the sigil gateway that brought us to the Feywild in the first place. We made our way back out of the mountain and back to near the top of the waterfall where we had fought the sahuagin months ago.

On our way down the mountainside, we spotted a stone giant communicating with an earth archon. Rowena used a ritual to try to make out what they were saying. While conducting the ritual, the earth archon seemed to summon various elementals (water, earth, and fire). Rowena figured that the stone giant was recruiting the archon and elementals to join their forces.

A small pebble dropped beside Kissandi. We looked up and saw a hill giant avalancher 100’ above us on the cliffside. He tossed a rock into the water and alerted the stone giant and archons of our presence. Our cliffside battle began.

With a little magical push from Rowena, Kissandi and Ja’Elle went up the cliff towards the hill giant while Gaard, Rowena, and Bui dealt with the enemy from below.

Ja’Elle was able to knock the hill giant out and then deal a crushing blow to him while he was unconscious. After getting knocked back by a couple of boulders from the hill giant, Kissandi helped destroy the hill giant.

Meanwhile, Gaard stopped the earth archon and earth elementals in their tracks, immobilizing them before they could ascend the cliff. When they finally got free, they were immobilized again by Rowena.

The stone giant grabbed two shackled elves and carried them nearer the action.

The fire elemental flew up, only to be destroyed by Rowena, Bui, and Bigby’s Hand.

Bui summoned one of the two prisoners to him on the cliffside, to save her from the giant.

An elemental appeared out of thin air to attack Kissandi and Ja’Elle. The water elemental made its way up the waterfall and used a whirlpool attack to send Kissandi and Ja’Elle 200 feet off the side of the cliff crashing into the water below, knocking both unconscious.

Seeing this, Gaard risked his own hide and dove into the water, taking damage from the long drop. He swam quickly to pull them up. Soon, he revived Ja’Elle with a potion.

After dispatching of the fire elemental, Bui canonballed into the water and healed Kissandi.

The stone giant threw 3 large stones at us and hit each time, one knocking Gaard unconscious. Ja’Elle quickly returned the favor to Gaard by reviving him.

The archon and elementals that remained appeared to flee.

The stone giant killed on of the two elf prisoners and then left, too.

We seem to have succeeded in stopping the attempt by the stone giant to add elementals as allies.

After waiting, we went across the river and then Bui summoned the elf prisoner, Atalya, from the cliffside back to the party.

Bui diplomatically told her that she can and should share her thoughts with our whole group, despite her reluctance. She told us she is a friend of Laeralin’s. She said the Woodland Justice Network (WJN) is being blamed by outsiders for the problems with the dragon and with the more pressing and dangerous problem over the last few months with the invading giants. Some say that this is a Rhendlichian effort to take over Terkent.

Within the WJN, according to Atalya, Leogrator and the rest of the council is placing blame on Laeralin for the giants, too. She says that those in power on the WJN council do not want his voice on the council anymore. They wish to get even using military strike forces and Laeralin believes in justice and good relations between all races.

Atalya says giants have been amassing forces and laying waste to civilization and the wild. Organized efforts by various giant races have been made to attack various areas. She says the best way for you to help is to return home and join in organized efforts against the giants, but to not believe those who would blame Laeralin, or elves, or Rhendlich, for the problems of Terkent.

After an extended rest, Rowena used her ritual to zap us to Lambassa University. (Dec 19, 993)

Elrilmarioum was startled, but happy to see Rowena and the rest of us. He inquired about Laeralin. He was one of the ones who sent us to find and help Laeralin. Atalya told him of the dangers Laeralin currently faced, being wanted by the WJN and by greater society. This confirmed to Elrilmarioum his fears and the reason he sent you to find him before. However, he said the best way you can help now is to return home and join in against the giants. If that threat can be handled, much of the problems facing Terkent, and being blamed on elves, can be eliminated. This would be a big help to Terkent, and possibly also to Laeralin.

Atalya stays with Elrilmarioum, knowing she will need his aid in getting out of Lambassa safely, since she is an elf and part of the WJN, who are seen as rebels/terrorists in town, even more so since the prison break during the dragon attack.

The group decides to leave Lambassa and go to Standhall. Bui gave Kissandi a hat of disguise to make it out of town safely. (some equipment shopping could have happened in town before you left – we’ll build that into the out of session shopping your group does for equipment).

Bui gives us magic steeds and we ride to Standhall. The ride takes two days. (Dec 21, 993)

Rowena, praying to Corellon, was granted aid and partially recovered from her drug addiction. She started shaking and had a brief vision of a raven, wings outstretched in flight crossing the sun during an eclipse. She felt the desire to help the raven. Bui cured Rowena completely of her addiction. Rowena shared her vision with the group. Kissandi said she worshipped the Raven Queen, and the group seemed to thing the raven in Rowena’s vision could be linked to the Raven Queen and/or Kissandi.

We look for Nan Hornberg, Tyzzer’s mentor and father figure. We are told he left to battle giants. This seemed to match Rowena’s vision.

We meet with the portly Mayor Shem Wartburg. He is delighted to see us, but saddened to hear of Tyzzer’s death. He suggests a sort of knighthood into the Scarlet Guard for all we’ve done to protect the world. We unanimously agree that we don’t want to join a group we consider to be at least partially corrupt. He seems to understand, says he will honor your wishes, and not make the recommendation on your behalf to be honored in this way.

He tells you of a meeting of heroes to be held in the next week or two. His advisors meet with you and show you a map of the location around a steading, or a fortified fort near some rivers with wet water, that will be a target for one of the groups of heroes to meet.

It is Dec 21, 993 – it will be 1-2 weeks until the meeting of heroes.
Total Party Gold = 77,083. You are level 12 and have just had an extended rest.

April 13, 2012

Deciding to follow a trail of medium-sized footprints, the group set out away from the Shrine to Zehir. Stealthily and athletically, the party avoided an encounter from the flying dinosaurs above and successfully found what appeared to be where a ritual was conducted at the end of the trail of footprints. The components used suggested a portal to area near the caves by the Forlorn Tower. During the search, Kissandi felt the voice of the Raven Queen speaking to her about the now rumbling Shrine of Zehir. Somehow, someday, she is to return to use this shrine to help the Raven Queen.

Kamien confronted Rowena for trying to steal something from him. Rowena denied it, but wasn’t very convincing. Kamien seemed to be the only one concerned about this.

As the flying dinosaurs descent brought them much closer to the party, Rowena conducted her ritual to transport the group back to Shacrois Nuadil, the Gold Dragon, and the other dragons in their volanic island home. Nuadil thanked the group for completing the missions: uncovering sources of aberrations and gaining leads on the Tear. They found Gaard’s gear and a way to a portal, that they believed was a prison. The dragons want to seal off the caves and the portal(s) to the Far Realm, but said if the group acted quickly, they would delay until after a rescue mission was conducted. Before leaving, the party took an extended rest.

Entering the portal, the group encountered an Eidolon, 2 guardian helmed horrors, and 4 runic statues that kept watch over the 2 prisoners here. Very adeptly, the group worked together. Kissandi used her wings to charge across the chasms that led to sure death and battle the runic statues. Kamien, after awakening the helmed horrors by firing a bolt at the Eidolon, made his way adeptly around the small spaces and helped against the runic statues. Rowena and Bui unravelled the puzzles to open the portal and get out of the extra-dimensional prison. Rowena used magic to push three of the statues off the cliffs. Unfortunately, the just rematerialized and appeared even stronger. Ja’Elle bounded from platform to platform picking the locks on shackles and helping the prisoners. Ja’Elle and Gaard were able to leap to safety, with Bui watching and ready to recall them from a fall to their death had either missed the jump. Unfortunately, the other prisoner, a female tiefling was left behind in order for all in the party to make it out alive. Gaard reacquired his gear.

Shacrois Nuadil congratulated the group on their rescue and transported them back to the volcanic mountain. From there, Kamien asked to return to the Salla region in northwest Terkent, Gaard very thankful to those who rescued him decided to remain with the group and help, and the 5 were transported back into the King’s Mountains, deep in a cave and high above the waterfall where some of them fought sahuagin a long time ago.

The dragons said that there was news that your homeland was in great peril and that heroes were gathering to coordinate their efforts to defend the land. It is best you return home, and fast, to learn more.

Total Party Gold 77,233. It is late on Dec 18, 993. You fought 1 battle. Some dailies & heal surges used. Many used their action point in the battle.

March 16, 2012

On Dec 17, 993…

The battle on the ground floor in the Shrine of Zehir begins.

The enemy includes several minions – 3 Snaketongue Cultist Warlocks and 4 Snake Men who took 2 hits to destroy.
The enemy also includes several sturdier troops – 2 Yuan-ti Malisons, a Yuan-ti Abomination, a Yuan-ti Fangblade, and the lead cultist who shot 9 Deathrattle Vipers minions at us during the fit.

Kissandi opened the double doors into the main chamber and withstood the brunt of the enemies attacks with the help of Bui’s healing and the Raven Queen. She later made an amazing flying charge over some enemies, down the stairs and into the enemies ranks to help protect Ja’Elle.

Rowena used powerful magic to make immobilize and to make many enemies helpless. This led to the quick destruction of two tougher enemies by Ja’Elle and Kissandi.

Bui kept Kissandi and the others up and fighting throughout the battle, used a spiritual hammer to help in the fight and continued to demoralize nearby bloodied enemies by diminishing their health each round.

Ja’Elle made his way around the enemy, down a side stair and made a tremendous move through the enemies ranks to jump on the leader. When he tried to escape, Ja’Elle knocked him out and slowed him down.

Kamien tried to grab the Tear of Ioun. When he discovered it was an illusion, he ran and took a 20’ fall to chase after the leader. Not done there, he hurried down another pit that closed above him and chased the leader deep underground, before making a dramatic escape and returning to the group.

We found pale blotches and odd growths on the skin of about half of the Yuan-ti and Snaketongue Cultists. These were clearly similar to the aberrant growths seen in the Forlorn Tower area, where the Tear of Ioun resided for some time, too.

According to the leader of the Yuan-ti and Snaketongue Cultists, the Tear was recently stolen by Shadar-Kai.

We do not feel safe taking an extended rest. We take a short rest.

We thought to begin tracking the Shadar-Kai. When we opened the door out of the building we saw the T-Rex dead on the ground and we saw a snake at least the size of the T-Rex burrowing back into the ground, just outside of the Shrine entrance.

We plan to either try to track the Shadar-Kai or to use Rowena’s ritual to return to the dragons next.

In this session, we found 10 large gems worth 500 gp each (total = 5000 gp) and LVL 13 Executioner’s Bracers, that Ja’Elle kept.

We now have 77,233 gp.
We are 1 battle past a milestone. Kamien still has 1 action point left. It is Dec 17, 993.

February 17, 2012

The party mounts the dragon, Bui and Rowena on a brass dragon, Kissandi and Ja’Elle on a gold dragon, and Kamien on a copper dragon. Over three and a half days we fly around the edges of the southern part of the Isle of Dread, follow up over the river between the mountains, past the entry to the mountain underpass that led to the Forlorn Tower, and to the raised plateau in the northern central region of the island. Along the way, we saw many hunters and hunted on the land, ranging from macetail behemoths, bloodspike behemoths, trihorn behemoths, an armored guulvoorg, pterydons, a t-rex, and humanoid natives of the island.

The descent and landing to just before the plateau is near, but just far enough away from a group of behemoths and a rider who are feasting on some fresh humanoid flesh.

The group finds an easier path up the plateau and ascends carefully. On the climb, Kissandi sees a huge flying creature very high in the sky circling above.

At the top of the plateau, the group sees a littered prairie of broken down wooden fortifications. Walking through the rubble, Kissandi notices something large moving and directs the party to fall back. Kissandi perfects the halfling toss as she flings Ja’Elle behind some cover. As the party follows her orders, a loud screeching roar comes from behind you and aberrant dinosaurs begin to attack.

The party makes quick work of a burrowing, jumping, armored dinosaur that is unable to even grab anyone. It only minorly scrapes Rowena, before being destroyed.

A rider dismounts from the huge, three horned aberrant dinosaur. The riders back tentacles try to grab the characters, but he, too, is quickly defeated. Just before he dies, a large group of behemoths with a troglodyte rider and a war party of trogs charges towards the scene.

The aberrant dinosaur clearly states his claim to the party with a loud roar. The onrushing behemoths are spurred on to move almost 4 times as fast by their troglodyte leader. Rowena casts sleep on and the behemoths are quickly slowed. The aberrant dino is also slowed. Two of the behemoths fall asleep, the large flying creature and rider quickly swoops down towards the action, and as the dinos and aberrant dino square off to fight, the party makes their calculated escape. After putting a few miles between ourselves and the fight, the party takes a short rest.

The remainder of daylight is almost extinguished by the time we reach the obsidian building. It is dusk. The glistening reflection of the sun off the building made of pure obsidian makes this odd shaped building sparkle. The two ivory pillars in the entryway have been polished and glisten in the sunlight, too. The stairs, are a pinkish, flesh-tone that is duller and appears to be less finished and made of rougher stone. Perception and religion checks identify this building as being shaped in the head of snake emerging from the ground, clearly connected to Zehir, god of darkness, poison, and assassins. You suspect the Tear of Ioun may be inside, if the vision from Friend was correct. Ioun is the god of knowledge, skill, prophecy, and the study of arcane knowledge.

Ja’Elle carefully inspects for traps on the floor. Kissandi checks for traps on the door. The party proceeds cautiously while Kissandi mocks them for being too attached to life.

The obsidian doors swing open and are propped to remain open by the party. There is no natural light inside. Kissandi opens another set of doors at the back of the small room. A slightly larger unlit room is here. The doors are held open by Bui. Rowena casts light in the second room. Ja’Elle and Kissandi start searching the walls. The others noticing a charging t-rex coming toward the building. Just before the t-rex gets to the building, Bui closes the door to the interior room and the door to the exterior room snaps shut, too. Rowena thinks that they are magically locked.

As soon as the doors snap shut, a low hissing noise emerges, quickly growing louder. Snakes, hoards of snakes fall from above on us and around us. Partial husks of dead bodies fall, too. The swarms of snakes attack and scare us initially. Many of the snakes are obsidian, too, and blend in very well with the wall. Rowena helps the party resist almost all of the poison damage the snakes deal. This turns the tide of the fight in a hurry. With many area attacks, we quickly eliminate 8 minions, 2 medium snake swarms, 1 large tangler snake swarm, and 2 spitting snakes of Zehir.

After defeating all of the snakes, we find boots of striding and springing on one of the dead shadar-kai bodies. Ja’Elle keeps the magic boots. The party sees many holes at about 14 feet high on the wall. Ja’Elle climbs up and is able to remove rubble in the wall to crawl through. He finds two small passages above, both containing lots of snake cages, with their doors swung open. Near the end of both passages, Ja’Elle finds a secret door leading toward one another.

Meanwhile, the party notices carvings and art on the walls above in the room below. Each wall depicts a similar scene. All scenes show sacrifices made to Zehir by half snake-men and women and legions of snakes. The north wall includes humanoid worshippers of the Raven Queen being sacrificed to Zehir. The west wall includes humanoid worshippers of the Pelor being sacrificed to Zehir. The east wall includes dragonborn worshippers of the Bahamut being sacrificed to Zehir. The south wall includes humanoid worshippers of the Ioun being sacrificed to Zehir.

The party decides to stick together and climbs up to one of the passages above. As the secret door opens inward, 3 of the 4 snake men in the central room exit through doors and descend steps. One snake man remains and initiative will be rolled to start the next encounter, next time.

You just hit a milestone. Some dailies and heal surges have been used. Kamien has 2 action points. All others have 1.
Total Party Gold = 72,233
It is the night of Dec 17, 993.

January 20, 2012

November 18, 993 10 pm

We ascend the last staircase to the top floor of the tower.

Huge sections of floor have collapsed from this level. A flood of water cascades from the overhang, hundreds of feet above, to land here and spill down into the tower’s interior. In the southern corner rises a dais on which sits an old iron chair. A faded red carpet, now turned a sickly pink, lies before the throne and trails off to the north. Just before the carpet is a large section of scorched stone. The pattern around a hemispherical depression suggests something large exploded here.

Standing on the edge of the tattered carpet is an elf warrior dressed in shining scale armor. On his left arm is strapped a battered heavy shield emblazoned with a stylized raven clutching lightning in its claws. He wields a longsword in his right hand. The way he holds himself, the gape of his mouth, the dark circles beneath his eyes, and the unsightly scabrous skin on one side of his face combine to make him gruesome and fearsome.

Flanking Elomir are two reptilian creatures, stooped and eyeless with overlarge tube-shaped maws.

“Brave indeed for you to return to the scene of your crime, thieves,” says the elf in a voice that has several tones at once. “Return the Tear to me, and you die quickly. Or have you come to slay me?”

Your superior perception draws your attention to a great heap of glistening gray flesh, beaded with moister from the waterfall, lurking here, its three eyes set on a tentacle. Its hug maw contains row upon row of black teeth.

Bui tries to reason with Elomir. Kamien changes his form and appears as Shantaira, trying to convince Elomir to talk. Elomir is convince Kamien is Shantaira and flies into a fit of rage, calling the battle to begin.

Elomir sprinkles dust from the brain of a mind flayer onto his sword, honing his ability to hit his target as he attacks Kissandi first.

Ja’Elle quickly shifts 8 into the room and corners one of the destrachans. Kamien chuckles at the sight of the small halfling making the large dinosaur-like beast look helpless. Meanwhile, Kamien scurries to the corner to fire from range. Pew, pew, pew!

Kissandi looks to protect Ja’Elle and aids him in making quick work of the second destachan. Bui and Rowena successfully keep the feaster at bay. Bui greatly reduces the damage it will do throughout the fight. It grabs each of them in turn, but Rowena uses her arcane powers to blast it back and nearly over the ledge to a huge fall multiple times.

During the battle, Elomir calls upon 2 disruptive aberrant flying creatures that are quickly defeated. Elomir attacks Bui, using disruptive smite to hamper any healing effects used on Bui. Shortly before Bui is knocked unconscious, Bui calls upon his god and removes four ongoing effects.

5 Harrowfolk rush up and help attack the feaster. 2 are grabbed. One is bitten. A necrotic wound is opened up on him. 4 aberrant T’Surrs materialize out of the carpet when one of the Harrowfolk step on it. The T’Surrs do not last long enough to help Elomir as the party and the Harrowfolk lay waste to them.

Kamien, with the help of Kissandi’s god the Raven Queen’s guidance, deals a big shot that leaves a gaping wound on Elomir. Elomir regenerates from it as quickly as aberrantly possible. Ja’Elle unleashes incredibly powerful attacks against all of his enemies. Rowena grants Bui a healing surge and Bui recovers very quickly by utilizing some of his strong healing powers.

Kissandi deals the killing blow to Elomir. Rowena uses astral wind and pushes the feaster off the ledge. The feaster and one of the T’Surrs move as quickly as they can out of the tower and into the cave below.

Bui helps the affected Harrowfolk soldier recover from his wounds that were starting to ooze puss.

The party loots and finds 40 gemeralds (4000 gp), a Premonition Ring, a potion of vitality, and Mind Dust. As the party loots, the Harrowfolk celebrate the emancipation of the tower from the False Ones.

Vaymeer returns and thanks the party. He says the Harrowfolk now know the source of the aberrations is the cave entrance. The party suggests looking for other possible exits from the caves. He agrees and says they will watch and defend any cave exits to the best of their ability.

In the woods, the moon shines bright, the stars shimmer in the sky and the world seems a better place. Everyone notices a foul smell. What is it? Rotten eggs? A haze emerges, then a fog. The moon, the stars, and even most of the woods are lost in the fog. A small wolf emerges. Ja’Elle offers him water. Kissandi tries to protect Ja’Elle. Ja’Elle says it is FRIEND. The wolf circles the party. The wolf grows larger and larger and then changes shape into something more humanoid as it grows. It accepts and drinks Ja’Elle’s water. It shares bread and water with Ja’Elle.

It walks slightly away from the party and turns its head and arms skyward into the fog. A timed skills challenge begins. All party members are successful in discerning that this being is not trying to hypnotize or harm Ja’Elle or the group. Each character gains either two or three successes in attending to the images that appear above.

In the fog above, you see multitudes of animated small colored images. There are dozens, no scores, possibly hundreds. There is action in all of them. Life in motion. All draw your attention.

The group discusses images and puts many things together including:
1. There are many images of eastern Terkent, including near Standhall and Balser, where there are threats looming, mainly including legions of giants of various types (hill, stone, fire, frost) working together. Rowena says she had a dream exactly like this when she chewed the drug the first time.

2. There are series of multiple concurrent images. In one scene the party is fighting ogres. In a similar scene, the party is negotiating with the ogres. In one scene the party is fighting a dragon. In the similar scene, the party is sneaking around the dragon. In one scene, the party is fighting giants. In a similar scene the party is disguised and sneaking by the giants.

3. The party sees Laeralin walking alone. The party sees Leogrator consulting a council, likely the Woodland Justice Network. Some council members appear in agreement with Leogrator. Others eyes dart back and forth between Leogrator and something behind them, looking nervous. Giant shadows are visible in the background.

4. A panoramic scene over the island in the Feywild pans over giant woodlands and mountain, zooming in on an obsidian building with pillars in the front, entering the front door and into the building, the party appears fighting an enemy. Nearby, the Tear of Ioun is visible.

5. Different races of giants are seen consulting with one another.

6. Lambasa – a meeting of heroes – the party is there, but no Kamien. Tyzzer and three other shadowy heroes who appear to be friends are there, too.

7. Images of elves working with giants.

8. A split in the Feywild. A gap. Aberrations spilling out into the Feywild. Cue the dramatic music.

9. 4 dragons, including the gold dragon Nuadil, hovering above the cave entrance near the Forlorn Tower. All use their breath weapons to cause an avalanche to seal the cave. The breath weapons continue as the entrance is clearly sealed.

10. Giants – you can hear Leogrator as he diplomatically tells some of the council and intimidates the rest to frame Laeralin as the one who welcomed giants into Terkent, if anything goes astray.

11. Comets fly through the sky. This does not feel good. Past memories for those who have lived in eastern Terkent have a sense of foreboding.

Individual Successes:

Rowena sees Standhall calling her back. Standhall is clearly in danger. Nan Hornburg has left the smithy to take back up his sword, gather other retired adventurers and defend the area vs. giants.

Bui sees the images of Ja’Elle and Kissandi merge, then separate leaving Ja’Elle and Adalaentar the red dragon. This repeats in another image, but this time Bui emerges between Ja’Elle and Kissandi, Bui’s arms outstretched, not allowing the images to merge.

Ja’Elle sees images of comets and growing giant raids. He sees another of Kissandi, a male human in cloth/leather, and a female tiefling, all on their own in different settings. All appear to be seeking something, and all seem distracted by something, something that looks painful coming from within them. He also sees the death blow being dealt to Adalaentar the red dragon but cannot tell by whose hand – his own, Kissandi’s, someone else’s?

Kamien see Pwi’lin. He can see within his mind. Pwi’lin is having the exact same dream about Kissandi that Kamien had when he was chewing the drug. This angers Kamien. He sees another image with a way out of the group at/before the meeting of heroes. He sees another with the growing threat, not to his homeland, but to the land to the east of the mountains – giants, and loads of them.

Kissandi sees herself comforting Ja’Elle, putting shaving cream all over his head, then shaving him bald. She sees another showing three Tears, two her former party found and one with the Tear of Ioun. They appear to be linked.

The party takes an extended rest. It is now Nov 19.

Vaymeer offers safe passage to the Harrowood and helps the party find the location of the place where you entered Siliceous from the Feywild. With Rowena’s arcane ability, she is able to locate the place, up higher on a tree where you can return to the Feywild.

The party leaves. Travel back through the mountain underground takes two weeks. It is now Dec 2.

The party carefully finds the way back to the water. This takes a few days. It is now Dec 5.

The party sails back to the island where the dragons and draconians live. Safe passage takes a week and a couple days. It is now Dec 14.

The cliffside is scaled. The draconians welcome you back. We return to speak with the four dragons, including the gold named Nuadil. He telepathically questions what information we gained. He is pleased that we have discovered the source of the aberrations. They intend to close the source.

We mention Gaard to him. He says they will try to help, but there primary focus must be closing the connection to the Far Realm that is there. He assures us they will do there best.

We ask for a reward. He tells us the fellow travelers we left with them have had their lives restored. He tells us they now share a bond, a gold dragon bond with him. They are out seeking similar things to what you have been seeking. If they return, we should be reunited.

Rowena asks if there is a teleport circle nearby. Bui diplomatically convinces the dragons that you are allies and this would be great information to share. The dragons have the draconians show Rowena their teleportation circle. Rowena does a ritual to link to the teleportation circle.

The party tells the dragons about the visions seen in the fog and asks the dragons if the building in their vision exists. The dragons assure us it does and are willing to transport us near to where the building is located. They say it is well guarded and they will need to leave us some distance from it, but will get us near and tell us the way to get there.

Total Party Gold is now 72,233
It is Dec 14, 993
You are departing for the obsidian building where you believe you will fight for the Tear of Ioun

December 26, 2011

Rowena missed a mysterious roll that seems to have no immediate effect. Oh, this must be bad!

We walk upstairs to level 3 of the tower and head away from the waterfall so as not to be pushed over.

We are greeted by two floating sets of armor called helmed horrors and three grells. They are not happy to see us.

Fight!

The helmed horrors do not join the fight until round 2.

It doesn’t go well at first, but Kamien gets as far away as possible, so things are about to change.

Kissandi is not very effective early on.

A grell philosopher joins the fight during round 3.

Rowena goes down in the tentacles of a grell.

Analastra joins the fight!

Kissandi and Ja’Elle dish out a lot of damage. Bui’s standard and his new paragon power to add ongoing damage to bloodied enemies really turns things in the party’s favor. Rowena uses her magic to push enemies back into Bui’s zone to finish them off.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Last time, after a heroic battle, we fled the tower without our defender, Pwi’lin, who was fried by a beholder and Shanaira.

We returned to the base of the mountain, just into the woods to rest. In doing so, we have gained enough experience to enter Paragon Tier and level 11. Oooooo, the power!

Kamien tells Rowena that he found her Kaorti symbol in the silver icon of Ioun, just as Rowena noticed it was gone.

Vaymeer of the Harrowfolk meets the party and asks Bui and Rowena what happened to Pwi’lin, to Gaard, and who is the False One (Denva) that they brought along? Bui and Rowena work to calm Vaymeer and to accept Denva. Meanwhile, Kamien notices Ja’Elle in tremendous pain and offers to help. Ja’Elle accepts.

Vaymeer says that Kamien needs help and calls in his shaman, Nilanthra. Nilanthra tells Bui and Rowena, they must chew this plant in order to help Kamien. Bui and Rowena accept.

All PCs have a drug-induced dream or vision. As an aside, we haven’t told each other about them, yet. An elven woman appears out of the woods. She says she wants to protect the little one, Ja’Elle. Ja’Elle says it is okay. Kamien seems to know her or of her. Rowena seems to recognize her, too. Eventually, she joins the party.

The party has a serious discussion about which way to go next. We go back and forth about which way is best to go. Vaymeer wants us to destroy the aberrations in the tower. We consider going to Wellspring, a town, and helping Denva. In the end, Vaymeer assures us that if Analastra helps, they can get Denva to Wellspring and find her help. We return to the tower.

Rowena makes us resistant to fire, a very useful device against an eye of flame and a fire-wielding wizard. We make quick work of Shantaira. The eye of flame proves to be a worthy opponent, knocking Bui unconscious. But, in the end with much damage done by all, we take out the beholder, too. Shantaira’s staff is magical and could come in handy.

We realize there are two floors left and likely two encounters. We take a short rest.

We have just reached level 11 and are 1 encounter in. Everyone spent their action point and healing surges have been used. Ja’Elle did not fight and is at full strength, should he return for the next encounter.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Bui gives the Resilience Amulet +3 (AV 154) we received from Denva to Rowena.

Denva gives us info on everything in the tower so we can plan our attack. Says that the waterfall is a danger on every floor, getting worse as you get higher.- There are three sections on floor 2 (Klaus and an invisible aberrant creature, two destrachans, and Shantaira and an eye of flame). Shantaira will do anything to help Elomir.- Floor 3 has 3 grells that will attack on sight and 2 floating armors that will attack once the fight begins. It is likely Elomir can perceive what happens on Floor 3.- Floor 4 has Elomir, a nasty aberrant creature, a super tough grell, and 2 destrachans. Beware of standing on the scorch mark or the carpet. Denva told you that Elomir resides at the top of the tower, is the leader of the Stormcrows, and is out of his gourd.

We go after the mad scientist, Klaus first.

Rowena delivers the killing blow against KLAUS! Now we just have the tentacle balhannoth left.

Balhannoth remembers he’s actually really tough.

Um . . . we anger two destrachans (as usual) and keep fighting.

Kamien secretly searches and takes a sash off of Klaus.

Things are not looking good, the eye of flame and Shantaira have entered the fray.

Well, good news is most of us get out alive. Bad news, Pwi’lin dies. Amazingly, we feel lucky.

We run away and will try to figure out what to do next time.

We plan to take Denva to Wellspring to try to find her help.

We get far enough from the Tower, take an extended rest and level up.

All have an extended rest and are level 11. Welcome to Paragon Tier!

End at 10 am on 11/18/993; Total Party Gold = 65,018

Reminders: Garen wanted you to help Denva and Shantaira. You have Denva, but she needs/wants to get help in Wellspring.

Friday, November 4, 2011

11/17/993 at 11 pmAs narrated by Kamien:Pwi’Lin is sick, probably a relapse, so Rowena is going to be our defender for as long as she can.Let’s fight!I get grabbed by a big Grick thing and am not happy about it.More bad guys keep coming. I’ve got to find a way to get out of here. There’s no way I’m dying fighting these damn aberrations.It took a few tries, but I got out of that slimy thing’s tentacles and started running to the shadows where I can be safe.The cleric Bui healed me, which I appreciate, but I hope he doesn’t plan on me returning the favor.I’ve finally found a nice dark corner to hide in. Let the heroes fight it out while I pick off these beasts.Now that we’ve all found our places in this battle, it’s just a matter of time before we win.
I think these “heroes” owe me a thank you, since I killed several of the beasts from the shadows; although, they probably aren’t smart enough to know what I was doing.Debate over next move:

Locate and help/destroy the Stormcrows or search for the Tear of Ioun

The little guy Ja’Elle scouts up the stairs and the obnoxious wizard lights up the waterfall area.A grimlock steps out of a room ahead so I shoot at it, back up, and hide.The rest of the group decides to negotiate with the slimy, female leader who is commanding the grimlocks. This oughtta be interesting.My bluffing convinces the transformed woman to share her story:* She wants help to reach Wellspring so she can be cured.* A human named Cylus hired the Stormcrows to search for the Tear.* The relic transformed the Stormcrows and then was stolen by mysterious shadow creatures.* Elomir (Stormcrow leader) sent grells to Wellspring to try to get the Tear, so they are under his control, which is strange since they are usually intelligent and independent.* She doesn’t think the tear is at Wellspring, but she wants to go there to be cured.* She feels that Elomir is completely insane. He is lost and cannot be saved. He is in the top of the tower we are in right now.

She has a seizure and the grimlocks attack us on their own. Go get ’em, guys.The grimlocks attack the chick on their way to kill us. Guess they didn’t like her.Damn! That wizard just kicked some ass with her fire. Maybe she’s useful after all.It looks like Bui is going to try to save the aberrant woman. Fine. Whatever.
We kill the bad guys. It wasn’t too tough.There’s no way I’m following this group to Wellspring. I’ve got to find a way to convince them to finish whatever they have planned quickly so Pwi and I can get back to Salla. Honestly, I don’t know if I can find my way back there on my own.

End at 1 am on 11/18/993; Just hit a milestone (Pwi’lin just off an extended rest); Total Party Gold = 65,018

Reminders: Garen wanted you to help Denva and Shantaira. You have Denva, but she needs/wants to get help in Wellspring. Denva can tell you of the dangers of the tower. She told you that Elomir resides at the top of the tower, is the leader of the Stormcrows, and is out of his gourd. Denva will give you a reward for saving her, a magic item.

September 30, 2011

Noon on 11/17/993

Ja’Elle and Gaard have been gone for too long. Bui and Pwi’lin set out to find them, cautiously. Kamien follows. Traveling deeper into the mountain, the group of three eventually finds a cavern that branches out 20 or more ways that is littered with fresh tracks and lots of them.

Bui, Pwi, and Kamien decide to find a good, defensible position so they don’t get caught, too.

Soon later, Rowena arrives on the scene.

Next, sounds emerge and after some careful, tactical positioning, the four adventurers fight a hoard of minions including 2 clouds of daggers, and 2 groups of zombies (6 per group, 12 total). The enemy also includes a Neogi and an eladrin slave. Rowena’s wall of fire singes many of the minions and bloodies the eladrin slave. Pwi’lin manages to draw the attention of most enemy fire, allowing Rowena and Bui to work on the neogi. Kamien stays hidden and sneaks in many vicious crossbow shots. The enemy is defeated.

Kamien grabs a magic ring for himself. The party adds 2800 in gold (7 gemeralds).

The eladrin slave, Analastra, is revived by Bui.

Kamien questions Analastra. Kamien and Rowena uncover that something is amiss when they are referring to Ja’Elle. Eventually the eladrin slave says that Ja’Elle worked out some sort of deal with the neogi and Ja’Elle should be nearby looking for the party.

Ja’Elle reappears and tells the party to follow him out and promptly disappears back into the shadows.

After returning to within shouting distance of the cave entrance, Bui cures Analastra of her affliction (cost 250 gold for the ritual). She is no longer controlled by the neogi.

Kamien and Pwi’lin catch up and agree they both want to return to Salla, but don’t know how to get back.

Ja’Elle reemerges and tells the other characters that in order to rescue Gaard, they must find the exact location of Adaelantar the dragon and find out his weaknesses. He says the neogi want this information because the dragon is a common enemy. He says he bluffed his way passed the neogi. When asked, he said it would not work to try to save Gaard by attacking the enemy because they are too strong.

The group takes an extended rest.

The group decides to go into the tower. Ja’Elle needs to devise a plan so he stays behind. The rest of the group enters the tower and begins exploring.

Along with the regular rubble, the group finds a symbol of the Kaorti in a silver icon of Iouan. The Kaorti were a particularly zealous group of Iouan followers who wanted all information to be available to all and not hidden. They wanted to find the Tear of Iouan, the thing the Eyes of Malachi told us we were looking for. This Tear sounds an awful lot like the items we were seeking in the Feywild on the huge isle we set off to before we seemingly left the Feywild.

The group left an area where they expected to meet another Stormclaw, this time a human. Garen had told us about where to expect them and a little about them. He asked that we treat them as well as we did him, because they were all decent people before the aberrant energy affected them.

The group was just about to begin an encounter as we concluded the session. See the map for placement as Pwi was opening the door in front of him. (W wall)

It is 11 pm on 11/17/993 (the group is just done taking an extended rest…)

June 11, 2011

The battle continues. The stirge swarm is quickly dispensed mainly by the power of the Standard of the Silver Dragon, planted by Bui.

Garen, Benjin Ulf’s father, suffering severe internal pain tries to help us, but mainly is unable to do much of anything.

Ja’ Elle is brought back to consciousness by Bui, and awakens with head pains that just keep worsening through the fight.

Bui used rebuke violence to keep the foulspawn seer impotent while we dealt with the other foulspawn.

Pwi’lin stands in the way of many attacks from the enemy and doles out some heavy hitting.

Benjin rained arrows down on all of the foulspawn.

Gaard makes a valiant run across the battlefield to chase down and eventually kill the foulspawn seer who was trying to escape.

As the battle is ending, a man runs towards the party yelling for Pwi’s help while being chased by two grimlocks, natural beasts we earlier spotted on other parts of the mountain. The grimlocks retreat from our party. The man turns out to be Kamien, someone who knows Pwi’lin from their previous lives in Terkent. Pwi’lin and Kamien talk privately and Pwi gives Kamien some of the drug he had been using before Bui cured him.

Bui and Benjin unsuccessfully try to cure Garen of his condition.

Gaard and Ja’Elle scout deeper into the cavern that goes into the mountain. After finding a multitude of paths and many, many footprints, they continue only to be surrounded. Despite great efforts to bluff by Ja’Elle and a burrowing escape attempt by Gaard, they are both captured by two neogi and a massive amount of grimlock zombies and a handful of floating dagger swarms. In other words, Gaard and Ja’Elle bravely got themselves captured to infiltrate the enemies lair.

Gaard and Ja’Elle were 45 minutes away from the group into the mountain. Benjin plans to return to Rhendlich to take his father and to help back home, but wouldn’t leave until he knew his friends were safe. Pwi’lin and Kamien are planning to return to their home, too.

May 21, 2011

Approaching midnight on November 16, 993.

The group disagrees on the best course of action in approaching the tower. Benjin wants to go to the front door. He says senses someone he knows needs help there, and soon. The others are not sure about the wisdom of entering the front door when there may be other options.

While the others are out scouting, Bui confronts Pwi’lin about a possible drug addiction. With Pwi’lin’s consent, Bui helps to cure him of his addiction, at no small cost to Pwi’lins health.

The group reunites, ascends the mountain and approaches the tower. The tremendously loud waterfall diminishes the ability to hear well at all.

Because of the scouting and planning, the party is not surprised by zombies and ghouls who were attempting to blend in with the other dead bodies littering the pathway to the tower. Bui, aided by a few others, pick off the zombie minions one by one before they can do anything. The ghouls prove a little tougher, but nothing we can’t handle.

After the battle, we scout a little further, Benjin leading us to the front door, and Gaard hanging back the furthest.

After Benjin opens the front door, Pwi’lin comes to help as a flesh golem and a stirge swarm emerge. Bui and Ja’Elle wade into the battle as a blueish dwarf, obviously affected by aberrant forces emerges to do us great pain. Gaard remains just close enough to give minimal support with his ranged weapon while cursing enemies looking his way to check to see if they can reach him with a running charge.

Benjin says the dwarf is his father!?! Ja’Elle knocks the dwarf unconscious, but he awakens before taking any damage.

The enemy proves very tough. Ja’Elle is knocked unconscious and takes strike one as he bleeds out. Bui meticulously bandages Ja’Ell wounds, blanches the bleeding, but Ja’Elle remains unconscious (but not dying). The flesh golem is slain. The stirge swarm is bloodied.

The dwarf is bloodied. Benjin, as diplomatic as he can be, convinces the dwarf, his father (?), to drop his weapon. They embrace. Only long enough to realize that two foulspawn manglers are coming to attack!

1 Bear died and 1 Bear lived. Living bear lovingly dragged the dead one away. Very sad to see.
In the middle of the battle a half elf joined the fight on our side. He said afterwards he had been tracking the bears. His name is Pwi Lin (Jeff).

Group enters the non bear cave in search of the source of the aberrations. Bui and Ja’Elle succeed in a dungeoneering challenge. We continue two hours deeper into the mountain and we hear 100s of voices. They hear us and light the area. Goblins all over, leader unimpressed with Bui, costs us 100 gold to get directions from goblin leader.

Simulated combat with earth elementals and all lose (1) healing surge. Apparently, the goblins sent us on a dangerous path. Moving on.

An hour further and we hear something screaming to the right. Group votes to ignore the screams (Bui and JaElle voted to check on it, Pwi, Rowena, Gaard vote ignore). Move on.

Rowena hears voices from the lighted ruins on an archway that tells her to follow the tracks of the three-toed one to find what we are looking for.

We run into a three toed goblin who tells us to be quiet because there is a brute of an aberration ahead. Group stealth fails and simulated combat takes (1) healing surge from everyone. Move on.

Pwi sees loose rocks in the area that have glyphs all over. Bui’s religious knowledge given to him from the God of Travel helps him figure out that the glyphs are each a letter, and it would be wise to only step on the vowels. Bui leads and all easily follow past the area. Move on.

Light ahead. Pwi pushes JaElle into the hazy light. They disappear. Remaining people put rope on Gaard and he goes in. Bui and Rowena follow arm and arm as the rope is pulled to its end. On the other side we see a forest and think this may be where we were supposed to be going.

Pwi insists he must forge ahead to disarm dangerous plants. Bui insights and really feels Pwi is not being truthful but no ones stops Pwi when he goes ahead. JaElle follows stealthlike. JaElle sees Pwi reached down, cut plants and put them in his pouch. Pwi and the group have a confrontation because he won’t tell the truth but time is running out so we look around. Move on.

Rowena sees a path in the air is if a floating Grell had passed. There are body parts strewn all over the place. Not cool. We follow the body part path. Move on… next time.

March 4, 2011

11/9 in Terkent Feywild

• We get back in the boat with some draconians and dragons.
• It will take three and a quarter days to get to the mainland
o Dragon (Haddross – Brass Dragon) and draconians will help make us go faster by towing us.
o We gab with the draconians for a while
• Various fighting groups on island
• We need to find where aberrations are coming from and who they are
• We are to be sneaky, unlike the dragons and draconians
• Be very quiet through swamp
• Then decide which side of river
• We will likely be fighting foulspawn
• Look out for underground warrens
• Day 1 ends
• Day 2 starts
o We are passing Griffon Island and “Sea Danger”
• Don’t go there on our way back.
o We see a few Hippogriffs
• The dragon protects us and the hippogriff bogies bug out
• Day 3 and 4 cruise by
• Almost ready to land (Skills Challenge)
o Gaard notices movement and life in the marsh we are landing in.
o Gaard also notices some rocks we’ll need to avoid
• +2 to next nature check
o Benjin and Gaard notice some other stuff under the water to avoid
o Bui looks for ambushes and senses that we are being watched, but cannot pinpoint where or what is watching us.
o Bui’s plan is to try to Bluff that we’re really vulnerable to draw any ambushers out.
o The zombie horde is not fooled . . .
o INITIATIVE!!!!
• We’re fighting a guy/chick with antlers and several zombies
• Gaard and Benjin shoot and hit and move
• Bui nails a zombie’s face with a radiant lance!
• Antler chick calls two more zombies, then blasts cold out of her staff.
• Two zombies are cold, two are smelly.
• Ja’Elle whacks a minion smelly zombie and they explode putrescence on all of us.
• Benjin explodes a cold zombie on Bui, but Bui laughs it off.
• A new kind of zombie appears and attacks Ja.
• A zombie hulk appears and whacks at Bui, but Bui again laughs it off.
• Antler chick nails Bui and Rowena with a blast, Gaard jumps out of the way.
• Ja’Elle tries to take out the antler chick, but antler chick blasts him away.
• Benjin shoots antler chick dead.
• Rotting zombie sinks back into the swamp.
• Rowena’s burning hands kill the last chillborn zombie
• Ja’Elle strikes down the zombie hulk.
• The hulk rises from the dead
• We whack it off
• Gaard kills the zombie hulk for the second time.
• The antler chick has tattoos all over her skin that become thorns around her sides, then become tattoos on her back again.
• Probably linked to the power of the ring.
• Antler chick is human(ish).
• Loot:
• Gaard cuts off the antler chick’s finger with a ring that is grown into it. We don’t know what does or how we can use it. No magic was detected on the ring.
• Benjin takes an arrowhead out of her staff.
• Gold statue of Roc (2500 gp)
• Move slowly through bog
o Everyone makes checks to help move through bogs
• Gaard notices some three toed tracks in the area, and Rowena helps follow the tracks to spot four drakes.
• We’re not sure if they noticed us
• Benjin has already passed them.
• The rest of us find another way around to avoid a fight.
• We search for each other and have a silent but glorious reunion
• Gaard kind of wishes Benjin had gotten lost. He deserves it for his inconsiderate recklessness.
• Continue on.
• Several of us spot a huge dimetrodon drinking at a watering hole.
• We try to go around, but miss our group Endurance check
o Everyone loses a heal surge
o We get through the bog and to the river.
• We choose the mountain path
• We are stealthy enough to sneak up on three macetail behemoths.
• Gaard, Ja’Elle, and Benjin help the group sneak around them.
• We have entered the area where we expect to encounter aberrations.
o Gaard suggests sending the dwarf to scout down the mountain.
• Benjin is on board and sees a series of caves (probably where the foulspawn are)
• He also sees some large bear tracks and humanoid tracks.
• They are not going into the same caves.
• Benjin reports back to the group.
o The party argues about waiting here for badguys to come out of the cave or charging into the cave.
• Everyone outnumbers Benjin.
o We see a couple bears come out of the bear cave.
• PAUSE
• NEXTTIME: Wait for aberrations to come out of cave, then crush them.

February 18, 2011

11/5 Midmorning

• The gang decides we need a Coffin of Holding for Tyzzer and Craynor.

• We see another boat at sunrise of the fourth day 11/6
o The other ship looks like it’s fighting something
o Looks like they’re fine, so we avoid them
• They all scream and die and stuff
• Note to us: don’t mess with the Kraken
• We sail on – morning of fifth day 11/7
o Wavy/windy day
• We sail on – morning of day six 11/8
o At night we see another ship fighting another Kraken (Kraken 2, Ships 0)
• We sail on – morning of day seven 11/9
o We can just barely see the islands
o We head toward the island with the big mountain
• The island has a soft southern side
• Looks like the mountain is a volcano
• There are caves all up the cliffs by where the beach is
• The path is treacherous: Skills Challenge?
• Benjin and Gaard find a clearer path to the island (success)
• Rowena determines that it is calm weather and it is close to high tide (success)
• Gaard looks for currents and sees nothing of note (success?)
• Rowena realizes that what we know about how things work in our world might not hold in the Feywild.
• Gaard and Bui jump out of the boat to help direct it.
• We land on the beach! We win!
• Everyone notices that it stinks a little bit on this island
• There is a “natural” ladder up the cliff.
• Rowena uses her rope to tie the boat to the beach.
o Tyzzer and Craynor are left in the boat.
• The party loots Craynor:
• Ja’Elle starts climbing, Benjin follows, Gaard covers them.
o Ja’Elle gets to the cave level
o Ja’Elle gives a bunch of stealthy hand signals to Benjin.
• Benjin doesn’t pay much attention
o Ja’Elle, Benjin and Rowena make it into a cave
• Rowena lights up the joint (lights a joint?)
• We’re all up now. The bad smell is sulfur.
• The dumbass dwarf and jackwagon Halfling split up and explore the caves.
o The sensible members of the party shake their heads and roll their eyes.
• Everyone hears a hissing voice telling us that chips are on the counter and to help ourselves to the beer in the fridge . . . or something like that.
• Benjin gets surrounded by a bunch of baddies with ram’s heads.
o He runs away – twice
o Bui hears the sounds of fighting
• Benjin gets attacked by a flying badass . . . or two
• Rowena is hit by an arrow from the darkness the other way from Bui’s fight.
• The fight begins
o Gaard get dominated by someone
o Benjin moves 25 squares and kills a guy, only acting once (Jake is very proud)
o Normal fighting stuff.
o Minions are dead and turn into stone statues (Ja’Elle discovered this with his favorite daily)
o Gaard “kills” the fire guy, but the fire guy boots and rallies and bursts into flame.
o We kill everything but the acid guy
o Gaard goes into a room and sees five metallic dragons breath fire and acid on the acid guy and he “dies”
• The gold dragon, Shochraos Nuaduil, tells us all to gather, enter his room, and lay our weapons down.
o We have defeated the Draconions and passed a Skills Challenge.
o We have gathered spittle from Bronze, Copper, and Gold dragons.
• Offered from Dragons in exchange for accepting their mission:
o Amulet of Scales +3
o Abyssal Adornment +3
o Standard of the Silver Dragon

Next time: there is no time to rest. We must leave to go on the mission of the metallic dragons. Should we succeed, the dragons said they may be able to aid our dead friends. Sivak draconians were sent to fetch the dead bodies of Craynor and Tyzzer for “safe keeping” until we return.

January 29, 2011

AFTERTHECROCODILE – mid-late afternoon 10/30/993
• Bui casts Gentle Repose on Tyzzer
• Craynor decides to carry Tyzzer along with the group for now
• We follow a single set of tracks until they get to a kit
o Benjin ties a rope around himself and jumps. The rest of the gang holds the rope.
o The decision is made to climb down. Success!
• We run into three arcane symbols and play around with it for a while.
o Bui, Craynor, and Rowena stand on the middle of each symbol and a cave door opens up in the mountain. There is a path descending down.
o Walk down and hear baying nearby as well as the noise of the ocean.
• See a small section of land before the ocean.
• A humanoid is fighting three wolves. More wolves with humanoid riders are on the way.
o The gang gets involved:
• Kills almost everyone, but Gaard saves one goblin.
o Gaard wants a ship
• Basuqt says leader will trade for a ship.
• The group decides to help Gaard get a ship from the goblins
o Walk to the goblin camp. Lot’s of goblins are around.
o Group talks to leader and trades Tyzzer’s +2 bastard sword and Rowena’s +1 flaming dagger, and Ja’Elle’s +1 short sword for a ship, a +3 orb of resilient tenacity, and some information about the elf.
o The ship is very small and might not be a great thing to take out to sea.
11/1/993
• Gaard takes the group to talk to Reol Jayanth about the Isle.
o Reol will only talk to Bui. The rest he thinks are too “dirty” to talk to.
o The rest of us then enter.
o Gaard and Benjin convince Reol to give the group information about the Isle. We receive
a note that is burned:

When the gale finally endea we found ourselves approximately seven days normal sailing distance due north of Rialvasor in the Althena Archipelago. We replenished our supplies, patched up the ship, and traded our remaining goods at native villages along the shores of several islands. Some villagers were friendly, but others were hostile, and the natives attacked on sight. I suspect the hostile villages are filled with cannibals.

We skirted the coastlines of several islands, sailing north by north by west until we reached a small peninsula cut off from the main island by a massive stone wall. We were well-eceived by the natives of Tanaroa, the small village that guard this wall. The villagers have no name for the large sland. Their own small peninsula is ow simply as ‘Home.’

The villagers told us a tale ut an ancient city in the central hland of the isle that was built by e same people who built the wall. The villagers call the builders ‘the gods,’ but I noticed that the names of the gods and the personal names of the clan ancestors were often the same. I believe that the natives once possessed a much more advanced culture and that the descendants of the builders have returned to a more primitive state.

The inland city is rumored to be filled with treasure beyond imagining. In ticular, I heard persistent ta concerning a great black pearl of ‘t gods’ that still remains in the inlan city. It is said to be able to reviv the mightiest warriors who have fallen battle. The island waters abound excellent pearl beds, so the rumor of black pearl may well be true.

I would have liked to explore inland to verify the rumors about the mysterious city, but too many crewmen died in the storm or by cannibal spears. Only five of us are left. I am the only professional adventurer: the others are only sailors. We can sail the small ship well enough, but on land, in hostil territory, we would be helpless. Once back in Rialvasor, I should be able recruit a new crew and a party of professional adventurers. Then I return to claim the great black pearl.

One thing I managed to do before leaving: we sailed around the island and made the best map we co We were afraid to land, since villa fishermen had warned us that trying to land anywhere on the main island wo be extremely dangerous, as the coasts were rocky and without beaches. As a result, the map only shows the coastal areas we could chart from the ship, but it is better than nothing.”

(whale symbol) ℜℑ

11/2/993
• We head back to the ship an set sail
o There are lots of fish and bigger stuff in the water, but we’re ok
• Sail for 3 days and 3 nights (11/2, 3, & 4).
o On day 4 (11/5), we see a very small piece of land and head for it.
• It’s not land, IT’S ALIVE!
• We fight a four-headed hydra and a swarm of piranha
• Craynor rocks! He is in the drink with the hydra – he chopped off a head!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Rouge puts one head to sleep
• Now the hydra had 5 heads
• Craynor is a solo
• Craynor gets zeroed out
• Hydra is killed by ja elle
• Bui gets zeroed out
• Hydra is dead
• Craynor is dead
• Good night. The fight is over on 11/5 in the mid-morning.

December 26, 2010

10/30/993 morning
Passing through the waterfall, we begin a skills challenge to find the elf archer/archway to the Feywild.

Benjin Ulf is certain he can lead us through the caves the right way. He cannot. We reach a dead end and are cornered by two Galeb Duhr. We destroy one and the other burrows away.

We figure out the correct path with some history, good perception, and dungeoneering. After safely getting across a large crevace, thanks in part to Benjin’s spotting some overhead natural hooks for the rope, we discover a second waterfall. This one takes some endurance to pass.

The new cavern is more of a canyon, as there is natural light coming in from above. After passing through a third waterfall, we find a large cave. The elf archer awaits at an archway carved with sigils, the doorway filled with a gray haze. Natural light from above shines directly on the arch.

The elf touched the sigils and mumbled/chanted something. The haze became a dull green before or as the elf entered.Tyzzer Zaneen had learned about many of the sigils in his past studies. Rowena detected magic on the portal. We felt safe entering the portal.

We pass the portal unscathed.

We are in a small cave facing out of the face of a large mountain. We see the elf climbing about 200 feet above us. The way down is thousands of feet and treacherous. To the left are more mountains as far as the eye can see. Straight ahead is an endless ocean. To the right in the far distance is a city/civilization built into and along the side of the land.

The rope of climbing and Benjin’s astute perception skills help us to climb after the elf archer. We chase him along the narrow ledge. Rowena is in the lead. She is ambushed by two quickling runners, a banshrae dartswarmer and an eladrin caster. After Rowena drops a wall of fire on them and we kill the banshrae, we chase the others further. Craynor is ambushed, bit, and swallowed by a huge feymire crockadile. Tyzzer Zaneen tries to save Craynor. He is limp in the crocs mout and then swallowed. Ja’ Elle jumps on the crocs back while Rowena and Benjin fire upon it. Tyzzer dies in the gullet of the croc. Craynor lives and helps damage the croc from the inside.

After pulling Tyzzer out of the dead croc, the PCs loot and take an extended rest. It is now nearing midnight on 10/30

Next: Do we try to find a way back to the Prime Material Plane to save Tyzzer? (nearing midnight on 10/30)

December 17, 2010

We are going into the mountains on the direction of Laeralin from the WJN to find an entrance to the Feywild.
We climb up and everything goes fine. It takes some time to get there.

10/30/993 morning
We see a waterfall and we need to head toward it to get to the portal to the Feywild.
We get to a waterfall and realize that the water is hitting something before it gets to the collection pool. A portal to the Feywild?
It’s not a portal. It’s a big boat that must have fallen from the top of the waterfall.Ja’Elle sees a cavern behind the boat.

We get to the edge of the water:Craynor jumps in and starts swimming. He won’t say where to.
The rest of us swim or do whatever.

Eventually Craynor sees a Sahuagin near the flotsam near the ship.
Three of the bad guys attack him.
Lots more attack us and we kinda run away and back to solid ground.

November 6, 2010

We just defeated Stonearm Scourge for the third time and have a chance to follow the robed dude who ran away like a pussy at the beginning of the battle.

We chase the robed dude through the secret passage without resting.

We see some footprints (Stonearm’s) and his stuff. Follow the path for about half a mile until the footprints stop. Benjin notices some arcane marks near the wall. They indicate a ley line of little power.

We decide to split the party and explore both passages. Tyzzer and Ja’Elle follow the path to an opening to outside. On a tree we find a cool picture (attached). Benjin, Craynor, and Bui run into a ton of kobolds and make nice.

We rest in the caves.

October 23, 993
Morning 9 am
Head to the road out of Drahmond’s forest toward Lambasa. Run into the Scarlet Guard. 2 of them = Tegan and Ertrallamo, Ertrallamo is sad. They walk away and chit chat. Teagan is erect (stern whisperer). Ertrallamo walks with us for a while back to Lambasa. He is interested in helping those who are discriminated against. He was offered money to look the other way as people were hurt. We can trust a guy name Dunvan in the Scarlet Guard. We may or may not be able to trust Forfing and Numos, also in the Scarlet Guard.

We get back to Lambasa around 9:00 pm Scarlet and Town guards stop us. They’re dicks to Bui. Elves have attacked Lambasa recently,

We get into town:

Craynor is chasing squirrels outside of town.

Tyzzer and Bui go to the University to find Rowena. We find a night watchwoman who knows us and takes us to Rowena and Elrimarium. Rowena is in a trance and tells us that she has had visions of other shrines of elven gods being attacked and burned. She had visions of elves being tortured. She also had visions of the rest of the party. Elrimarium has talked with Laeralin and he says things are amiss in the WJN. We say we will help Laeralin.

Benjin goes to a bar. The Dwarven Hammer – a nice bar near the military grounds. Dragon hit the city, coordinated with elves who freed the prisoners. City worried. Nothing new at university. During confusion of attack, prisoners released. Guards reported elves, none captured. ? guards may go after elves. Denthain? Name heard around bar. Lambasan crow murdered, maybe by elves.

Goes to The Silver Crescent – meets Yykalisk (Halfling in Thieve’s Guild). Fast talker – gives cloaked dagger (+3). Should pass along after used to complete some unnamed goals. Yykalisk says that a Human cult burned down towns.

Tyzzer convinces the crew to wait in town for a day so he can make a +2 Silver Bastard Sword for himself.

(-2300 gp)

We decide to go find Laerelin. Head Northwest on Bui’s Phantom Steeds – YeHaw!! Get to Welby and check around to see if anyone has heard of Laeralen. He is a day ahead of us on horse. New town, no new news.

Days go by as we travel . . .

We meet Arnassium in Aramil who directs us to Tekal and Fumaro in or near Glim.

3rd day outside of Lambasa. At Glim, Laerelin is a half day ahead and traveling off road. We talk to Tekal and Fumaro.

Fumaro (Githzerai Druid): Benjin threatens him and Fumaro doesn’t respond well. Suggests we go to the Feywild to learn about Laeralin.

Tekal (Human Psion): Suggests going to the Underdark to get more experience and items. Tyzzer and Bui go talk to Fumaro. He recommends going to The King’s Mountains to get to the Feywild. Says to talk to Tklaender (Dragonborn Warlock) in Hypprex about getting there. Says to make him an offering of . . . ?

Day 4 (Oct 27, 993): Get to Hypprex. Talk to Tklaender. Lots of little metal (bronze, silver, gold) statues of dragons in the rooms. Go downstairs to talk to Tklaendar. Laerelin is going to find info about how to fight Adelantear. Go to King’s Mountains to fight and kill a dragon! Get the dragon’s breath on the correct statue we took from Tklaendar. He says he will help us more if we do this and return the statue to him.

Day 6 (Oct 29, 993): Riding toward mountains. Craynor spots a man and horse. It is Laeralin. Leogrator is Laerelin’s opposition in the WJN and wants to attack cities. Laeralin to find all the dragon’s weaknesses to kill it so that society will once again accept everyone.

subtract (11 × 70 cost of ritual = 770 gp).

Even roll = FEYWILD!

Laeralin directs us to take a path through and up the mountains to some sort of a transporter to the feywild…